THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 4, 6 January 1915, Page 6

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

RESUMPTION OF INQUEST.

PRESENCE OF THE ACCUSED

DISCOVERY OF A BLOOD-STAIN-

ED SHIRT.

Mangaweka, January 6.

The adjourned inquest touching the death of Joseph McCann, Lucy Amelia McCann (his wife), and their thirteeti-months-old baby boy was resumed at Maiigaw'eka, this morning before Coroner W. R, Haseklen, S.M.

At the previous sitting the evidence only referred to the identification of the bodies.

Arthur Rottman, who was arrested on suspicion of the murders, was present and adopted a composed interest in the proceedings. Mr Button, Crown Prosecutor, VVanganui, conducted the proceedings tor the-Crown, and o' t!iued.the,future of the evidence he would call, being mainly «*u '.he same lines as previously pulrshed. IVTi- Hutron stated that evidence would be called to show conclusively- that tho injuries could not have been sdf-.nfi-ctca. Only four people were living on the farm, and three of them-were found dead,' and a reason'bh vi?\v of the evidence whioh would be called showed that the remaining member of the four, Rottman, committed the' crime. A short shirt was found in Rottman's room with blood, stains on it. The first witness, Herbert Sweet, a neighbour of McCann's, said he saw him last before noon on Sunday December 27th, when, he was quite cheer'ful, and arranged to come and help witness with his shearing next Monday, but he did not arrive or send any message. , Albert Patchett, manager at the Ruahine factory, said McCann supplied milk about the same time each morning. McCann arrived usually about'7.4s. r On Sunday he arrived at that time when 6691bs were delivered. On Monday Rottman brought the milk at 6.30, being the first to arrive. Rottman said they were in a, hurry as "Joe" was going fleecing. Rottman Vas in a hurry. The milk that Oay weighed 5541b5, and he (witness) pointed this out to Rottman } who said: "Joe spilt a can of milk." There was no previous case of McCann's supply .dropping suddenly, and no previous case of any supply dropping to the extent of one sixth of the supply. - McCann's drop of llOlbs was unprecedented. No milk came from McCann's on Monday, and witness and Poole went to McCann's house, which Was found to be locked up. They then :went to the cow shed and opened the door and saw McCann's body in a pool of blood with the head split opeii. He closed the door and came-away and informed tho police. Gustave Kreger deposed to visiting MeCann's with Felix Fox at four pan. on Tuesday. The doors were locked and they effected an entrance by the window. They found Mrs' McCann arid""the baby in the front bedroom. < The bodies were cold. They visited the cowbyre and found McCann's body,' and later found an axe near the., cowbyre' covered with blood stains and human hair. There was evidence of milk having been spilt. ' Archibald McMillan deposed to seeing Rottman going to the factory early, on Monday morning. It was a w-arm morning, and he noticed that Rottman's coat was buttoned, which hid his shirt., He appeared to be in a great hurry. Rottman was using only one hand, the other being in his pocket. At this stage, Rottmrtn for the first time availed, himself of the opportunity to ask questions: You say I only used one liand. How can that be when I made a cigarette .whilst' getting whey ? Witness replied: I did not see you making a cigarette or smoking either. The inquest is proceeding.