NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 September 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

..THE WAIRONGOMAI MURDER.. JUDGE’S SUMMING UP. GISBORNE, this day. At the murder trial Justice Hosking delivered a lengthy summing up. His Honour said the jury had to be satisfied whether a murder had been committed, and if so, whether accused was the guilty person. It was for the Crown to establish its case ? not for the prisoner to establish his innocence. The conclusion originally arrived at, that it was a case of murder and suicide had resulted in there not being the thorough investigation one would expect in a case of murder. In murder cases they usually had to rely on circumstantial evidence. Prisoner, so far as was known, was the last person seen with the two deceased, and according to his statement he came down to get a packhorse for Anderson. There was nothing belonging to deceased found on accused, and it was on his subsequent conduct they were asked to judge the case. His Honour closely reviewed the evidence as to accused’s demeanour, and also dealt with the question of motive. SEAMEN’S UNION OFFICE RAIDED. WELLINGTON this day. Detectives yesterday afternoon raided the local office of the Federated Seamen’s Union, and searched the books and papers, some of which were seized. So far as is known nothing was discovered of a compromising character. The police action is said to be connected with the present dispute between the seamen and the owners of the small coastal craft now idle owing to trouble over the demand for two men in a watch. A CASE OF SUICIDE, AUCKLAND, this day. Harry Stewart, aged 20, a lettercarrier at Birkenhead post office, was found dead in a paddock this morning shot through the mruth. He borrowed a revolver yesterday afternoon and disappeared. Search revealed that he had committed suicide. He volunteered for active service recently, but was rejected bv Medical Board, since when he has been depressed.