MURDEROUS MEN

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

MURDEROUS MEN

TIMARU PROSEi'UTIONS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.; TfMARU, .);ui. G. At the Magistral e.'s CourL to-day, a youth of 17, a Bumham escapee, named Birch, alias Palmer, was com mitted for trial for a murderous assault on his employer, J. O'Connor, a Jairy farmer, of Cianeboye, by striking him en the head while asleep. Accused confessed that lm struck the blows. He did not know why, as he "and his employer were en good terms. Afterwards he took from the house what money he could lind, a watch and chain, and a cheque-book, and a!i?o a horse and gig, and drove to Temuka, where he filled in cheques for small amounts and forged O'Connor's name to a number of cheques and cashed them at various shops. He then drove on to Timaru, whero he was arrested next evening. The victim was found by a neighbour at 10 a.m. on the day after the assault. He was in a., dazed condition, and unable to say how he was hurt. Denis J. O'Rourke was committed for trial for violent assault en E. Ward. The latter, a hotelkeeper, had refused to allow accused to have a drink, and, meeting him in the street, accused assaulted him, causing bodily Injury.