ATTEMPT TO MURDER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 June 1901, Page 4

ATTEMPT TO MURDER.

Arnett Imprisoned for Life.

(per press association.)

Invercargill, June 19. The trial of .Charles Henry Arnett, for attempting to murder Charles Milne by placing strychnine in his food at Edcndale in October last, concluded to-night, the jury returning a verdict of “ guilty. Justice Cooper passed the maximum, imprisonment for life, saying that such a man was not fit to bo at large, ihe crime of which Arnett (who is a Riverton half-caste) was convicted was deliberately planned to get rid of Milne ; the latter was a rabbiter employing others. He had dealt with Sullivan, the Dunedin rabbit buyer, for whom Arnett _ was agent at Mataura. Arnett appropriated the proceeds of Sullivan’s cheques to Milne to the extent of £4O forging the names of different parties to cover up his defalcations, and when Milne pressed for his money set a day on which he would square up with him. Arnett had previously bought strychnine, but on the 29th October procured more at Mataura and proceeded to Milne s hut, nine miles oft', entering unannounced. He seemed taken back to find Milne in the hut. The settlement was not due till two days later. After some talk Milne left the hut to see to a horse, leaving Arnett alone with all the materials of the dinner on the table, of which Milne and his mates had partaken. Milne and Arnett left the the hut together but some little distance away the latter made an excuse to part company and was afterwards seen by witness on the road between the hut and where he parted from Milne, the inference being that he returned to the hut and placed the poison in the sugar and butter. At tea all the rabbiters were taken suddenly ill, and in consequence the police took the matter up. An analysis showed that deadly quantities of strychnine had been placed in the food, and the detectives in the course of the investigation found that Arnett had stolen Milne’s money. This put them on the track and Arnett was arrested for theft and forgery and got 3 years. Meantime the poisoning case was worked up. It was evident that had Milne died Arnett would have been " relieved of the liability which ho had promised to wipe off two days’ later. The Crown on seperato charges indicted Arnett last week for attempted murder of Milne’s mates, Gordon and White, when the jury disagreed. The time in which the poison was placed in the food was narrowed down to one hour, and no one could be found to say that he had seen anyone but Arnett on the road near the hut in that hour. Accused said he bought the poison to kill rats for a man who was to give 10s for doing so, but the man was mot called to give evidence for the defence. Arnett was quite unmoved when sentenced.