BACK-BLOCKS TRAGEDY.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 18 October 1920, Page 3

BACK-BLOCKS TRAGEDY.

S’OUNG MAN KILLED.

TROUBLE IN KING COUNTRY,

Taumarunui, October 15.

It is reported that a murder has occurred ar a back-block settlement at Tokirinm. 25 miles out, last night. It is stated that a returned soldier named W. Anderson, aged 30 or 40 year;, went to the house of Loft Bros., and found Jim Loft, a married man, and his nephew. Fred Telfour. at home. The man asked for tea and bread, which Loft got. lie next asked for an overcoat, and then said: “Are you all at home?” Loft replied: “Yes.” Anderson then said: “I will get the two of you.”- meaning the Loft brothers. He then pointed a rifle at Jim Loft, but Telfour, aged IS years, interposed. receiving the charge in the chest, and died in live minutes. The other brother Loft was absent at a farm at Ohura. Jim Loft rushed through the bedroom, escaped through n window, swam the Ohura river, and walked barefoot through the bush for 16 miles to the Aukopae boat landing on the Wanganui river, where he is now in bed in a state of collapse. The Taumarunui police went out this morning with the coroner. Anderson hau been ‘ ‘ sacked ’ ’ by the Loft brothers, and it is alleged that he had •a grudge against them. Anderson is still ai large, tie used to live in Taumarunui. and is well known as a Scotch piper. Later. The Commissioner of Police (Mr JO’Donovan! yesterday received a telegram from the inspector iu charge of the Taumarunui district srating that Anderson had been arrested without causing further trouble. He will bo charged with murder and remanded for eight days.