MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1930, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

THE COLERIDGE TRAGEDY

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

v ßy Telegraph—Per Press Association.'

CHRISTCHURCH, September 23

At the hearing of the murder charge, Detective-Sergeant Young and Fnrquharson about a mile from gave evidence of the arrest of Colenso and Fnrquharson about a mile from the Cass. The two men, he said were seen approaching. They left the road, and made off across country. Witness followed them, and seeing that one of the men had a rifle covered with a sack, witness bailed them up until the other police arrived. Both men were then handcuffed, and each was taken in a different car to the Christchurch Police Station. Colenso said: “Yes—l shot),the man. He called me all the blank blanks he could lay his tongue to!” COLEXSO’S STATEMENT.

Witness warned Colenso. He asked him if lie wished to make nil explanation. Colenso made a statement. Jt ran: “J was carrying my swag on the way towards Murchison station, with Edward Fnrquharson. About 12 noon, I saw a man from Murchison’s plough camp on the Homestead Rond, about two miles from the Station. He came up to me, and called me for all the blanks and blank blanks ho could lay his tongue to. I have no idea why he did this, I had never seen him before. He accused me of stealing an old milk billy, and he'said lie bad sent for the police. He continued to. abuse me and was going to strike me and I was holding my rifle in defence to keep him off. It was loaded, and the trigger cocked. I was trembling, and was all of a shake 1 had it pointing at him, and it went off. It struck him on the right hand side. He fell to the road putting his hand out to save himself. My mate said: “Run!” and I ran across country with my rifle, leaving my swag there. I did not know the man was dead. It was the sight of blood that made me run away. The old man did not take any part in the shooting. 1 did not take anything from the man’s camp.”

Detective Young, continuing, said that when Colenso was charged with murder, Colenso replied: “Will they hang me for it?” The accused did not plead. He was .committed to the Supreme Court for tr.ial.

THE INQUEST VERDICT. CHRISTCHURCH, September 23

Sitting as Coroner, the Magistrate to-day gave his finding in the inquest into the of Cockburn. He found that Cockburn died from a gunshot wound, this wound being inflicted by a rifle held by Alfred James Colenso. FARQUftARSON REMANDED. CHRISTCHURCH, September 23, Arthur , Edward Fnrquharson, aged 58, Colonao's companion, was to-day charged with being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient means of support. ■ He was remanded. He will not be called upon to appear provided that he remains at the Salvation Army Home and reports daily to the police.