AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 October 1924, Page 5

AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

STATEMENT BY ACCUSED. SHUTES COMMITTEES FOR TRIAL. (by telegraph—press association. AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. At the murder trial, after lunch, Chief Detective Cummings produced a statement signed by Shutes. The letter said: “I had to defend myself. We went to the Aurora. Hotel and had a bottle of beer. I thought Short was the barman, so I went to get more liquor. 1 met him outside the sitting room and an argument started. He struck me above the left eye and this staggered me. I think lie hit me with a bottle. My knife was open in my hand, as I had tried to open a bottle with it. He raised his hand, apparently to hit me again, and I threw out both my hands. The blade of the knife went into him and we both fell to the ground. Deceased said: ‘I am stabbed.’ I got a terrible shock. I knew there would be trouble, so I ran outside. I went down a side street and got on top of a building. Then I climbed a fence, and remained there till all was quiet. Then I went to a shop and telephoned for a taxi to take me to my ship.” Several other witnesses gave evidence. The magistrate (Mr Poynton) said there was no conclusive evidence in support of the charge of assault on the licensee of the City Hotel, this charge being dismissed. Counsel entered a plea of not guilty of murder and assault on the ship, and accused was committed for trial.