TOKARINA MORDER

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1920, Page 4

TOKARINA MORDER

FURTHER DETAILS. (Per Press Association.) TAUMARANUI, Nov. 4. At the Tokirima tragedy ease Nagina Singh gave evidence as to bow the accused came to the Hindu camp for food on October 16th. when a Hindu secured his rifle. Dalip Singh corroborated. Constable McNamara deposed to arresting Anderson and charging him,with murder. Accused said:—“So far as the young fellow is concerned it was an accident.” When searched accused had fifty-one pounds. Sergeant Miller, who had charge of the search for the accused detailed the same. On being escorted to Taumaranui, accused pointed out where his coat was bidden in some scrub. At the jail, when the information was read, accused said:—“Thank you,” and called attention to a bruise on his right forefinger. Accused 6aid:—“l want you to take note of this for my defence. It was done by the trigger-guard when Telfer was trying to pull the rifle from me.” There was no truth in the accused’s statement that prior to the tragedy the police were after him. Accused said he had served two weeks at Gallipoli and received a piece of shell in the bead, which caused him trouble. Detective Cooney gave evidence that when under escort, accused said: “I kr.ow who were on the gold fields. I was mining at Karangahoe.” Accused asked him to do him a favour, by enquiring from a Taumaranui chemist wlsat parcel of medicine Jim Loft got from him under an assumed name. Accused said be had no intention of killing Telfer as they were the best of friends. Telfer tried to wrench the rifle away. Hac] lie not done so, he would have not been shot.. In a struggle for the rifle, it went off. They could see the score on the finger. He said:—“Jim Loft is the man I intended to shoot. Had I got liiiii, I would have been satisfied to swing. It would have been a good thing for bis wife and family. He tried to do me all the barm lie could. He did not want me to draw my money, aiid when I was riding over the bridge at a gallop he rushed out with a cry of “arms up,” and I fell on my bead.” If be had gr, Jim Loft and the two Harlands he would have been satisfied. The Harlands drugged him, and other men were drugged at the front and they were still doing it in New Zealand. He .saw Loft jumping tbe fences. He was a coward co run from bis wife and family. Accused said he could have shot him at first, but tbe children were around, and bo did not want to harm them. After hearing further evidence, tbe accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Hamilton. •