THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2350, 5 January 1915, Page 7

THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY

ROTTMANN CHARGED WITH MURDER; ' . "Arthur Rottmanh!" As' the name tras called in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, a suppressed murmur of excitement and expectation, ran through' the Court.' In the publio enclosure at the rear of the Court—crowded to suffocation—every neck was craned. Then the young German appeared. Altogether he presented in physique a fine specimen of young manhood. A clean-out sunburnt face, sadly drawn, curly hair, erect, carriage, but all discountenanced by the frightened, almost hunted, expression on his .face as he took his place in the dock. He was breathing rapidly, looked at no one, turned his back slightly on the rear of the Court, and hardly appeared 'to heed the charge read' to him. "You are charged that on December 28 at Ruahine, near Mangaweka, you did murder, Joseph M'Cann." The. _ accused appeared to breathe more rapidly. Chief Detective Broberg stood up. "In this case, Your Worship, I desire to ask for a remand to Wanganui for January 12: Possibly accused may be brought up ait an earlier date. Will Your Worship make the remand warrant on Wellington Gaol so that he may be taken to Wanganui at any time that suits the Wanganui Court P"

- The Magistrate: Yes. Accused will ba remanded to appear at Wanganui on January 12. Rottmann did not wait a moment after the Magistrate said this, and hurriedly left the dock with a detective by his side.

Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., was on the Bench.

On tho Court records accused's name was given as Rottmann, not : Rottermaim as previously published. His ago was given as 21, his nationality German, and his religion Church of England. The remand was_ made to Wanganui, as Mangaweka iB in the police district of Wanganui.