DEATH-BED CONFESSION CLEARS UP MYSTERY CRIME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4522, 25 October 1930, Page 4

DEATH-BED CONFESSION CLEARS UP MYSTERY CRIME.

AFTER- 38 YEAR'S.

Invercargill, October 2-1

The, Lora Gorge murder, by which name a. crime committed 38 years ago has been known, is no longer a. mystery, for recently it is stated, a death-bed ronfession was made which completely clears from suspicion the man who stood in the dock at Win ton charged with the crime and many others who were under a cloud. KI LLED AT IHS. OWN GATE. Richard Bell, a settler in the Olapiri Gorge, was shot at his gate l on Monday, .July 28th, .1892. lie had attended a meeting of the Hokotmi Runners’ IClub, and was returning when the shot was tired. Ilis brother-in-law, Mr. .J. MeMaster, accompanied him on part of the way home, and wished him to stay at his home for the night, but Bill would not, arid pushed on homeward. He was stooping to (•pen liis gate when the shot was tired from behind a tussock. The bullet struck him in the cheek, carrying away the jaw, but he was still living when his wife, who heard the shot, ran down the track to see what had happened. She met the injured man at a small bridge which spanned the stream and which lie could not cross until she assisted him. He died three' hours later.

The murderer left the gun with the muzzle driven into the ground. The weapon was described as a muzzle-loader of inferior construction, the maker's name being given as “Moore, London.” It was nearly new, though there was no cfvidenoe of its having been bought in the neighbourhood. Bell left a widow and four or live children. He was 30 years of age. A, man was arrested a few days later on a charge of murdering Bell, and was committed for trial, but proceedings were.' dropped before Ibe case came before a jury.