THE WAITARA TRAGEDY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10064, 4 February 1909, Page 1

THE WAITARA TRAGEDY.

(Per Press Association*.) New. Plymouth, February 3: It is several .years since a person has been tried in New Plymouth on a charge of murder, and when:. the Magistrate's Court opened this morniiig for the,-healing of the charge of murder laid against Dr Edwin Jonathan GOode, of Waitara, in connection with the recent Waitara tragedy, there was a large number of spectators waiting for admission. The charge preferred against Dr Goode was that on December 14th, at Waitara, he did murder-one Mary Ellen Klenner, by shooting her with a revolver. Mr H. S. Fitzherberfc, ■ S.H., presided. Mr T. S. Weston (Crown prosecutor) and Mr C. H. Weston appeared: to prosecute, and Mr' Johnston, instructed by Mr Wilkes (Waitara) defended. Dr Goode throughout the proceedings was calm and collected. He has much improved in appearance since the date of the tragedy. He sat unmoved in the dock the whole day. Mr Johnston, on behalf of prisoner, formally pleaded not guilty. Mr T. S. Weston stated that he would not weary the Court with an opening of the case for the prosecution, but would at once begin calling evidence. All witnesses were ordered out of the Court on Mr Johnston's application. The evidence to-dajr was largely on the lines of that at the inquest, of the formal production of plans, photographs, etc. It is expected the trial will occupy several days.