TOKARINA MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1920, Page 2

TOKARINA MURDER

(Per .Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI* Nov. 3. James . Loft, giving evidence, said that when the second shot was fired outside, he recognised accused in the dark !;y the illumination of the rifle shot. W lien the accused raised the rifle at the window lie was four feet away, and :t wn therefore impossible for the deceased Telfer to grasp the rifle. The bullet which killed Telfer, was a soft nosed 303. There was no ill-feeling between witness and accused and there was no grievance between them about some whisky. Witness never frightened accused when lie was riding over, the bridge by night. Accused went to the maid’s room one night and was turneddown. Later accused said he was in love with her' and witness said he had some complaint to make; but nothing was said. Accused several times threatened to do Harland and brothers in, •but said he was afraid of the rope. His grievance with Harland was that he alleged they had doped him in the arm from a two-pronged instrument. Herbert Loft corroborated his brother’s evidence. He also said that he was not sure if Telfer grasped the rif^e, ! but did not think so. Dr Clieeseman, of Ohoura, deposed that the bullet passed .through Telfer’s right lung and liver, The body was bkickened at the pimftof the entrance of the bullet. Margaret Loft, wife of James Loft corroborated her husband’s evidence. Winnie Hefferma'n, Loft’s domestic servant gave evidnece that when Anderson came lie said: “All the police in Taumaranui are after me, but I will get plenty of them before they get me.” He was given''food, tobacco, and an overcoat, before the shooting. He said: “Two of you will have to pass out tonight, but now will do.” Jim Loft said “Don’t be silly.” Telfer, who was sitting on a couch, walked over beside the window and said: “The rifle is filled up with clay, Bill.” Anderson said: “That is all right.’” Telfer said: “Have you got the pills for it?” Anderson said: “I have everything.” Anderson then said: “Clear the room.” Witness then stepped into the hien’s room aiid did not see the rifle, /jim Loft ran into her room and that was all she saw of him. She saw Telfer put out one hand, but could not say what he did. She then saw Telfer fall. The last she saw of Morris was when he was going into the passage. Herbert Loft turned into the scullery. Witness heard a shot fired, but did not see the nfle go off. She heard another shot outside a few minutes later. About two months ago accused walked into witness’s bedroom at half-past four in the morning. He tried to wake her. She said: “Who is there?” He said: “Your next door neighbour.” She told him to get out, and after a few moments’ hesitation he went out. Witness complained to ) Mrs Loft about this. 1 Lionel George Morris, engineer of Frankton, gave corroborative evidence o<' shooting. He was near the gun when it was fired, but did not see the discharge. He was not sure whether Telfer or James Loft was killed till a quarter of an hour after, though he saw one fall. Witness rushed to a telephone in the passage. He thought lie had been shot at himself in mistake for a policeman. Alfred George Loft gave evidence regarding eleven’ bottles of whisky which on October 16th., Anderson brought to the farm, saying he stole it from Andy Sayers, of Olmra. Witness got him to share the 'cost with him, and pay for the whisky. Witness, accused, and three others cut the eleven bottles out in two days. Witness deducted the accused’s wages, and paid him fiftyeight pounds. The case was adjourned till ten a.m. on Thursday.