WAIRONGOMAI TRAGEDY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 31 July 1917, Page 3

WAIRONGOMAI TRAGEDY.

BOTH MSN SHOT BEHIND. IMPORTANT WITNESS MISSING. GISBORNE, July 28. There is now no question in the minds of the police that the two men found dead at Wairongomai early this week were murdered by some person unknown. A post-mortem examination revealed four shot wounds in Anderson’s body, one through the leg and three in the back, and any of these three would have been fatal; whilst either of two shots in Bradley’s body would also have been fatal. The rifle found near the bodies was taken out by the men with eight cartridges, to be uied in the event of their requiring meat. When the rifle was found after the tragedy, the breech was open, with a cartridge in it which had not been pushed back. The doctor and police are of opinion that the shooting was done by some third party. An inquest was opened yesterday before Mr. W. H. O. Johnston, J.P., actingf-cornne/. After evidence of identification the inquest was adjourned until Tuesday. The bodies have been buried at Cross Roads. An important witness in connection with the affair, who had been about the station since Monday last, suddenly disappeared yesterday afternoon, and search is being made for him. The camp where the tragedy occur- - red is about five hours’ ride from Waiorongomai homestead, in a rough place about 3500 feet above sea-level. A party of men were engaged cutting tracks to let in sheep during the spring.

JURY'S VERDICT OF MURDER.

AN ARREST MADE. GISBORNE, July 29. At the inquest on the Wairongomai tragedy the jury returned a verdict that the deceased, Anderson and Bradley, met their detaths hy bulleT wounds inflicted by some person or persons unknown. The missing witness, a youth named Frank Clayton, alias Inksher, was 'arrested at Pakihiroa Station on~ a charge of murder. Accused was a late member of the party, who came from camp on Sunday morning with a statement that the men had quarrelled and he had been sent out for a packhorse by Anderson, who was clearing out, ,He is aged 17, and arrived on the coast in March last from Auckland.