THE LOFT MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1920, Page 2

THE LOFT MURDER

ANDERSON ARRESTED. (Per Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, Oct. 17. Anderson was captured at 2 o’clock this morning at A. Fleming’s farm, two miles from the scene of the 'murder. He went last night to a- Hindoo scrubcutters’ camp at Craig’s farm, half a mile beyond Fleming’s. He walked into the tent among four Hindoos, asking for food, placing his magazine rifle against the tent while he mealed. The Hindoos asked him- who he was, and he said he was a policeman from Taumarunui. One of the Hindoos said: “I know all the police in the district. You are not one.” Anderson then said he was a farmer at Tatu. The Hindoos then rushed the rifle and took charge of it. Anderson pleaded for it spying he was done without it, and offered £5. He said he did not want to shoot the Hindoos, but white men. The Hindoos offered to take him to Craig’s house and would return the rifle if the boss wias agreeable. Eventually they went to Olliver’s half a mile away.. A Hindoo holding Anderson by the sleeve asked Olliver if this was the man the police were after. . Olliver went for his spectacles to see, but never returned. They went into Olliver’s whare, and while there Anderson drew a; knife and the Hindoos ran away, taking the* rifle with them. The rifle was leaded with eight ball cartridges. Anderson then' made for Fleming’s farm, in whose woolshed he had slept the previous night. He surrendered himself to Fleming at midnight, saying he was done. The police party arrived two hours later arrested the man. The police party, in charge of Sergeant Miller, arrived at Taumarunui at 3 p.m on Sunday with the accused handcuffed, roped and strapped to the saddle of a horse. The roods were bad and the part? were eight hours on the way, with a stop of two hours half-way. He watched all that was going on from the bush, even listening to the conversation of the search party on the roads. He was very cool and collected throughout the journey, and faced the crowd at Taumarunui with perfect calm. Accused will he brought before the Court to-day, and the inquest continued. Accused’s parents reside at Auck land.