THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1923, Page 3

THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

JUGGINS RKKOHK C'O CUT. [liV TKIiKOKAPJI run I’KESS ASSOCIATION. I’AKUOA, Doc. 11. .John Christopher ILif'p;ins appeared a t the Magistrate’s Court this morning hei'oro Mr Sulmou S.M., charged with the murder, at Waikino, of heloyn Aliinrico Ale Good and ('has. Alan Stewart and with the attempt to murder lloht. Thoedore lleitl, .John l!lls " tard, Kathleen Sarah AlcGarry and Herbert James Olsen. Mr Meredith, the Crown Prosecutor, assisted by Inspector Wolilam, conducted the prosecution. Mr J. .1. Sullivan appeared for the accused. The Court was crowded to overflowing. Higgins, supported by live con stables, entered the Court. He *•' ,l tall man and stooped somewhat, though lie bore a calm demeanour. He looked furtively round the Court when called upon to answer the dial gc s . lb a gold-rimmed spectacles and stood m the dock with his arms folded across his chest. Prior to the Coutr opening informed a press representative that since his imprisonment he had earned m weight. Counsel for the prosecution intimated that he did not intend opening the ease and the evidence of the two murder charges was then taken. Till-: l-'.V [ DKNC'K. I’AKKOA. Dec. ItColin Mason, farmer, residing near Hio-gins, stated that Higgins came to his" place just before noon on Get. 18th and borrowed a. horse to take wood’to Waikato, remarking that d would be the last order as lie was gnj„.r up the firewood business. l iggins made reference to the lacl that #This own horse was dead, declaring that some one killed it. , . Holiert Theodore Wood, with ms right arm in a slung and looking haggard, was assisted into the box. bu was unable to remain standing Hm evidence was on the hues ot that already published. So Inr a- "> nt knew. Higgins never belore visited

ij the school. •, Ida. A lav Hell, school leache. . s.ud that she was teaching the ml ant s class outside Air Kohl's study wmdou. She beard Kohl say: “Me 11 you u- going to take the hnv ■your own hands." Hater she ‘ • , infants' room went mto the and heard something heavy lnll m stmlv. She met the m-ensed m the doorway of the primer .'lass room. • had a pistol in bis hand and wake 1 into the primer room, fired a Amt. a„d then came into her room He walked up to the front desk and toed. Witness and the other teachers then got behind a cupboard lor shekel, while the children rushed pell moll for the doors and windows. She heard several shots fired in the room. Ihe accused seemed quite calm, and moved about the room deliberately. Evidence was also given by Alexander John Bustard, describing how the

in U«P "J ■> distance of about three paces, U was trying to get out of the .loss room. • , I, V Kathleen Evidence «a> al- - ■ Sarah AlcGarry relating 1 ' Wl , Higgins in the morning *bu. 'n i )( ,v “Good-morning and nsUt "■J mother and father. When lm came ; n to the class room he shot at her. the aged to get outside.