WAS MURDER DONE?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2137, 1 May 1914, Page 8

WAS MURDER DONE?

ORARI SENSATION

POLICE FIND IN RIVER-BED

MAN ARRESTED. ißj Teleerftiili.-Preea Aisocl&tlon.) Timaru, April 30. On Sunday last an elderly man named Adam Stovonson was missed 1 from his camp on Koiman's Farm, near Orari bridge. His mate, Harry Cripps, said that Stevenson left thp camp on Saturday evening to/ go to Geraldine. As Stevenson could not be traced a search was instituted and followed up from time to time.

This afternoon Constnbles O'Grady and Murphy, with others, were'searching the Orari river-bed, and at 4 p.m. Constable O'Grady found Stevenson's body among the gorso in the river-bed a chain from the road, and about a mile from the camp. A sack , had been put over the head and drawn down as far as it would so. A rug and two other sacks had also been placed on the body. . Constablo O'Grady was satisfied that there had been foul play, and went back to. the camp and arrested Cripps, who 'had previously made contradictory statements about Stevenson.

A doctor vas sent <\r from Geraldine to examine the t< dy before its -removal, and he found fou; wound; on the head, apparently caused In- a blunt instrument such as a hammm* any one of which was sufficient t<\ cause death.' The body was then removed 10 Geraldine'.

Stevenson was 70 year* of age, and said to be married, but was not' living with his wif j. Ho was weli known in the- -district as a teamster and ploughman.

Cripps is a'pout 'it years of age, single, and is iuid to be of weak intellect. He was m GfU-ldinc playing billiards on Wednesday' niglit".