THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 107, 8 January 1915, Page 3

THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY

| ROTTM'AN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL j i The hearing' of the charges preferred against Artuhr Rotu'nau ci" wilfully murdering, at Ruahine, on December 28th, Joseph McCann, hi-; wife Lucy McCann, and thirteen months baby boy was continued at Mangaweka yesterday before Mr W. R. HiiseUlen, S.M., after we went to press yasierclay. Mr C. C. Hut ten prosecuted; accused, who adopted a reserve;! and almost disinterested attitude in Vui proceedings, was not represented by Counsel, although the Crown will provide him with legal assistance at the Supreme Court trial. The Court was crowded throughout the day, and in the afternoon several ladies watched the proceedings. The fresh evidence adduced after we went to press yesterday was not of a materia] nature, the principal evidence being given at the inquest, in which a verdict was returned that Arthur Rottman wilfully murdered the three McCanns. Yesterday additional evidence was given by Felix Fox, who, deposed 'to visiting McCann's house on December 29 in company with Gustave Kreger. They iound Mrs McCann and child in the front bedroom and McCann in the ccw byre. The tomahawk and boots produced were, found on the grass under the window" of the room Rottman occupied. . j Archibald McMillan corroborated his - evdience given at the inquest in which j he stated Rottman,' when at the fac-' tory, on December 28, used only one • hand to get the whey into the cans. It will be remembered McMillan \vae the only one of the fifteen witnesses at the inquest who was cross-examined by Rottman and the cross-examination was made with a view of showing that Rottman used both hands and did net conceal one in his pocket. Rottman stated he used both hands to make a cigarette. At the present -murder trial McMillan repeated his statement j of yesterday, but on this occasion was : not cross-examined. Albert Kendrick deposed to having a short conversation with Rottman when the latter delivered milk to the factory on Monday, December 29th. Witness saw Rottman getting the whey but did not see him smoking or making a cigarette. Witness could not. tell if Rottman was using both hands or only one hand when he was getting the whey. A MATTER OF £3O. Tt has been rumoured that Mr McCann cashed a cheque of £3O just a few days before the tragedy and none of this money was found in the house. Constable Esson, in evidence, stated he found 3/ in the house and in the front bedroom discovered an open j drawer. It contained a lady's hand bag, j still open, and in it was a purse still • open.

John Collis deposed to seeing accused at Mangaweka en the morning of December 28, and later the same day on the Main Trunk express in the dining car, between Feilding and j Palinerston. Enlarging on his evidence given a! ! the inquest Dr Turnbull stated that I some of the blood stains on the shirt found in Rottman's room could have been put there while the shirt was being worn. He could not definitely say that the stains were those of human blood but. was of a strong opinion that i they were. Detective Sergeant Rawle stated that when charged with the murder Rottman said, "I'm guilty; I know what I've done. God punish the man who brought liquor into this country." Rottman had 18/9 in his possession when arrested. Evidence on the same lines as given at the inquest was given by James Badland, Win. Neal, Arthur Milnsr, Constable Esson, Thomas James, Detective Sergeant Rawle, and Dr Turnbull. ROTTMAN WARNED. . After being warned that he could give evidence but anything he may say could be used against him accused stated he had no desire to give evidence. Accused was then remanded to appear at the Wanganui Supreme Court, on February 9th, and was then removed from the Court. Rottman was taken to Wellington last night where he will remain in custody till the Wanganui Supreme Court opens.