THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 January 1915, Page 3

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

THE INQUEST

[fir pbkm asiociation.]

Taihape. Jan 6 Dr Turnbull described the injurie;

[ |of McCann, Mas McGann and the childi. The former had six wounds four of wMch. penetrated the ibraiii and were sufficient to cause death. Mrs McOann had four severe wounds one of which penetrated the brain and was sufficient to cause death. All would cause immediate unconsciousness. Tho baby had two wounds which penetrated the brain. The shirt found in Rottman's room had blood stains tout lie

was unable to determine whether the; were human blood.

Constable Essen deposed to" informing Rottman that the new alien regulations prohibited him from leaving the district without permission of the police. Bottman said 'he had no intention of leaving tht district as he was doing well in his present situation. However Bottman left in the Marigaweka- train a few minutes later. Witness found a blood-stained "tomahawk on the grass under the window of Rottman's room. There was no trace of milk having been spilt in 'McCann's cowshed and the vicinity which had been searohingly examined.

Evidence concerning Rott man's movements was given by tfames Ballard. William Neal and 1 Thomas James.

The Coroner stated tliiat he would take time to consider tihe verdict.

To-day Rottman will be tried o: three charges of murder.

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER

Mangweka, This Day. The inquest on the Ruahine victims has been re-opened.

Sergeant Rawle, of Well'ingtoii, deposed to arresting Rottman in tlie Ijlla.ll adjacent, to the Terawhiti station. Witness covered Rottman with a revolver and then handcuffed him. Rott-

man said in reply to the charge of mnirder of McCann, his wife and child, "1 am guilty. I know I'm done. God

punish the mail who brought 1110 into :his country."

BEFORT THE S.M. COURT

The Coroner .Mr Hazolden, S.M., re

turned a verdict that Joseph 'McCann, Lucy McOann, and the child died at Ruahine on December 28th, from wounds wilfully inflicted 'by Arthur Rottman with an axe on the head and neck of the three victims, and the said Arthur Rottman did wilfully murdei the said three McOanns.

Arthur Rottman was then charged that he did at Ruahine ond December 28th wilfully murder Joseph McCann, Lucy McCann and the child John McCann. Accused was not represented by counsel. Mr C. O. Hutton, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution.

Walter ivelly, employed on the lighthouse construction works at Terawhiti, stated that Rottman arrived there on December 28tli on horseback and asked for work. He directed him to the manager of the sheep station. Rottman returned two days later 011 foot, and said that he sold the 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. Rottman then read the paper account aloud and askod witness about the prospects of getting a boat to Pelorous Sound. Witness thought

it best for Rottman to get ia Nelson boat at the wharf. Accused said 1 "I couldn't go to the wharf. TF is lined with detectives who arc arresting a-11 Germans." "Witness left and l stated that it was intention to get the mail. Rottman asked him not to tell the police he was there. Witness went away and informed the police.