THE AUCKLAND MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1924, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND MURDER

SHUTES BEFORE COURT

[nY TELEGRAPH — PEIt PP.ESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. The charge of murdering Louis Short against Benjamin Harrison Shiites in tiie Aurora Hotel, on October 10th. was resumed at the Police Court. Shiites in also charged with an assault on Frederick James Sands, oil October tenth. Frederick Sands, licensee ot the Aurora Hotel, said that on the night of October Oth. he saw Strettou and Kilpatrick in the bedroom occupied by a man named Whelan. The latter brought three bottles of beer to his bedroom. Witness saw Shiites when he came to hook a room. Shiites no doubt had a few drinks, but was sober. Witness later heard loud talking in Whelan’s room. He saw the accused. Kiljmtriek, JVholan, Taylor and Strettou, three Iwiarders and two guests in the room. He cautioned them, hut the noise continuing, witness told Shiites that he must leave. Shiites replied that he would not ho put out and walked into the corner of the room. The accused put his hand down towards bis trouser’s pocket. Strettou ended, look out the boss has got a knife. Evidently Shutes and Kilpatrick loft quietly. Strettou have left previously. John Whelan, in evidence, said that Shutes, when invited to have a drink, spilled n? much ns lie drank,