RUAHINE TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2353, 8 January 1915, Page 6

RUAHINE TRAGEDY

CORONER'S VERDICT-WILFUL MURDER ROTTMANN IN COURT (Br IWejrftDh—Presß Association.) Mangaweka, January 7. The evidence at the inquest ,on the M'Canns (the victims of the Ruahina tragedy) was resumed this morning. Detective-Sergeant Rawle, Wellington, deposed to arresting Rottmann in tho bush adjacent to Te Kamara ■ station, Cape Terawhiti. Witness covered Rottmann with a revolver, and then handouffed him. Rottmann said in reply to the oharge of the murder, of M'Cann, his wife, and child:. "I am guilty, i know what I've done. God punish the man who brought liquor into this countiy." Rottmann had 18s. 9d. on him when arrested. Mr. Haselden, S.M., as Coroner, returned a verdict that Joseph M'Cann, Lucy- M'Cann,'and their child died at Ruahine on December 28 from wounds wilfully inflicted - by Arthur Rottmann with an axe, and that the said Arthur Rottmann did wilfully murder the said three M'Canns.. BEFORE THE COURT. "I'M GUILTY—I KNOW WHAT I'VE v DONE," Arthur Rottinann. was subsequently charged that at Ruahine on December •28 ha did wilfully murder Joseph M'Cann. Lucy M'Cann, and tho child John M Cann. I Accused . was not represented by counsel. Mr. C. C. Hutton, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution. Walter Kelly, employed at lighthouse vrork near Terawhiti, ,stated that Rottmann, arrived there on December 28, on horseback, and asked for work. He was directed to the manager of the sheep station. Rottmann returned two days after, on foot,- and said he had sold his horse. Next day the papers arrived,' and he handed .Rottman one. Accused asked: "Have you read the account of, the murder at Ruahine?" Witness replied-in the negative. Rottmann then read the paper account eloud. He asked' witness as to th« prospects of 'getting a boat going tc Pelorus 'Sound. Witness said h( thought. it' best for Rottmann to gel the Nelson boat nt the wharf. Ao cused said he coiildn't go to the wharf as it was lined with detectives nrrestinf all Germans. Witness left with, th< stated intention of getting the mail Rottmaan asked him not to tell th( police ha was there. Witness, however went away and informed the police. Evidence on the same lines as thai given' at the inquest yesterday wai EiVen by Herbert Sweet, Gustavi Kreeer, and Albert Patchett. . Albert >e saw Pott mann at the Ruahine Factory at 0.8( on December' 28 drawing whey. H( did not see accused smoking or makinp a cigarette. Ho could not remembei R-ottmann using one or two hands whei shifting the cans, or when drawing th< whey. - ■ Enlarging- on the evidence given, ai the inquest, Constable Essen said h< discovered a drawer in the room occu pied by M'Cann open. It contained a lady's handbwz. which was open, anc held a purse, which was also open. Onlj three , sKTfings were, found. in th< house. There was no, evidence as t< the. probable amount, of money in th< house at .the time of the tragedy.John'Collis said lie saw Rottmnnr at Mangaweka on December 28. Wit •ness spoke -to him. ' The same : day he saw him on the Main .Trunk train between Feilding and Palmersi'on. Evidence on_ the same lines as thai given at the inquest was tendered bj several witnesses. Aocused did not give evidence, bul reserved his defence.' He was committed' for trial at the* Supreme Courl at Wanganui on 'February 9. .