THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 5, 7 January 1915, Page 8

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. ACCUSED ADMITS THE CRIME. <£Fu Pans Association.] Mangaweka, January 7. Detective-Sergeant Rawle, Wellington, deposed to arresting Rottman in the bush adjacent to Te Karama Station, Cape Terawhiti. Witness said he covered Rottman with his revolver and then handcunea iiiu*. Rottman said,in reply to the charge of, murder of McCaun, and his wife and child: "I am . guilty, I know, for what I've done., God punished the man who brought me into this country."

Mr Haselden. S.M., as coroner, delivered the following verdict: "That Joseph McCann, Lucy McCann, and child died at Ruahine on December 28th from wounds wilfully inflicted by Arthur 'Rottman with . an axe on the head and neck of the.three victims; and that the said Arthur'Rottman'did wilfully murder the said three McQanns." .Arthur ;Rottman was then charged that at; Ruahine on December 28th he :lid .wilfully murder Joseph McCann, Laicy McCann, and child (John McCann.) Accused was unrepresented by counsel and and Mr C. C. Hutton, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution.

■.Walter Kelly, employed as lighthouse keeper at-Terawhiti, stated that Rottman arrived there on December 28 on horseback, asked for work, and was directed to the manager of the •;heep station. Rottnian returned two 3ays later on foot, and said he had told the horse. Next day papers arrived, and he handed Rottman one. Accused asked: Have you read the account of the murder at Ruahine? Witness replied in the negative. Rottman then read the paper account tloud, and asked witness of the prospects of getting a boat to go to Pe. lorus Sound. Witness thought it best for Rottman to get, a Nelson boat at She wharf. Accused said he couldn't to the wharf, which was lined with detectives arresting all Germans. iVituess; left and stated his intention y£ getting the mail. Rottman asked tiim not to tell the police he j was. there. Witness went away and iur formed the police. Evidence on the ,same lines as given at the inquest yesterday was given ',)y Herbert Sweet,,, Constable 'Esson, tinSauji aiATJ^sn*)