I THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 January 1915, Page 3

I THE RUAHINE MURDER.

THE INQUEST

[PBE FBKU ASSOCIATION.! Mangaweka, This Day

The adjourned inquest touching the death of Joseph McCann, Lucy MoCann (his wife) and thirteen-months-old baby boy was resumed! at Mangaweka this morning before Mr H. Rfi Haselden, S.M.

Previous evidence was only for the identification of the bodies.

Arthur Rottmann, arrested on suspicion of the murders, wis present, and adopted! a composed interest in the proceedings.

Mr Hattou, Crown Prosecutor of Wanganui, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Crown and outlined the nature of evidence called' which was mainly on the same lines as previously published'.

Mr Hatton stated that the evidence to be called would show conclusively that the injuries could not have been iseff-inflicfied. There was dnly four people living on tho farm, three were found dead. It seemed reasonable, in view of the remaining evidence to be called, that remaining member of the four, Rottmann, committed the ciime. A shirt found in Rottmann's room liad bloodstains on it.

Tile first witness, Herbert isweet, a neighbour of McCann's stated that he saw him last before noon on Sunday, December 27th. He was quite cheerful and arranged to come and help him with his shearing next morning. H© oid not arrive nor send any message. Albert Patchett, manager of the Huahine factory, said that McCann supplied milk to the factory. The sii|> piv.rs delivered their milk about the same time each morning. MoC'a r> arrived usually at 7.45. On Sundav when he arrived at that time 6691bs of milk wa6 delivered. On Monday Itottmaim brought the milk at (3.30. He was the first to arrive. Rbttniaiiu said that they were in a hurry as "Joe was going fleecing." Rottmonn was in a hurry with the milk that day. It weighed 5541bs and he (Patohett) pointed it out to Rottman who saidi "Joe spilt a can of milk." There was no previous occasion of Mr McOaun's supply dropping suddenly,, and there was vo previous case of any supply dropping to the extent of one-sixth. McCann's drop of llOlbs was unprecedented. There was no milk from McCann's on Tuesday and witness.and Poole went to McCann's lgpuse. •-!« was locked lip and they went; to the cowshed. When they opened the door they saw McCann's body in a pool ot 'blood' with his head split open. They closed the door and came away and informed the police.

Gustavo Kreger deposed to visiting McCann's house with Felix Fox at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The doors were locked and they effected an entrance through the window. They found the bodies of Mrs McCann and. the baby in the front bedroom. The bodies were cold. They visited the cow-byre and found McCann's body. Later they found an axe near the cow-byre. Jfc was covered with bloodstains and. human hair. There was evidence that milk had been spilt.

Archibald McMillan deposed to seeing ( Rottmaron going to the factoid early oil Monday morning. It was a warm morning and ho noticed that Rottman's coat was buttoed as if fb hide his shirt-. He appeared to be in ;i great hurry. Rottmann was using one ■hand; the other was in his pocket.

Rottmann, for the first time, availed himself of the right to ask questions. "You say that I only used one hand. How can that he when i made a cigarette whilst getting the whey!"'

Witness replied: "I did' not see you naking a cigarette or smoking cither."

The inquest is proceeding.