THE RUNANGA MURDER.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 November 1917, Page 5

THE RUNANGA MURDER.

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 16.

Of the amount in the possession of Mr Ha 11.., paymaster of the mine, £3356 4s Id has been recovered, leaving £43 lis 7d unaccounted for. A reporter had an oportunity to-day of viewing the booty. It filled the bottom of a fair-sized portmanteau, the notes being done up in parcels according to their denomination, while the coin was in bags with the amount therein contained noted on a tag. Lying on the surface was an ,automatic revolver. The bag was found to be of uncomfortable weight, being too heavy to be carried by any but a fairly strong person. With regard to the arrest of the suspect in connection with the West Coast murder and robbery, it is understood the name of McMahon belongs to the woman and has been assumed by the man. The woman is a barmaid at the Empire Hotel, where she was employed under the name of Lizabet-h McMahon since shortly before Carnival Week She had been previously employed at several other hotels in Christchurch.

Superintendent Dwyer stated this afternoon that as a result of further police inquiries, it had been estate lished that accused's name is not McMahon, but Freclerck William Eggers. He is an American by birth, having been born in New York. He has been asscociated with Miss McMahon for the past four years. the police paid a tribute to 'the help rendered them in the apprehension of the accused by the licensee of the Empire Hotel (Mr. Morgan O'Brien). His suspicions had been aroused in connection with accused, and he helped effectively in the search. Although Eggers described himself as a speculator, he appears to have been engaged as a commercial selling "butter churnsetc. ,although it has not transpired with which firm, if any, he was en-

gaged. The licensee of the Empire Hotel expressed the opinion "that there was not a better-dressed man in Christchurch than the accused," adding "he was a sensible-spoken fellow, too."

William Eggers McMahon, who was arrested last night in connection with the highway robbery on the West Coast, appeared at the Police Court this morning charged with the murder of John Coulthard attempting to murder William Hall, attempting to murder Isaac James, and stealing £3659 16s Bd. Chief-Detective Mcllveny asked for a remand until Saturday, November 24, at Christchurch, and -this was granted. GREYMOUTH, Nov 16.

Inquiries go to show that McMahon was in town on Saturday evening, the day after the tragedy. On Sunday -he played cards with young fellows and viewed the train for the cemetery, carrying the victim. He entered a discussion on the tragedy and watched the train, with the otTiers, through field glasses from the hotel balcony. He complained that he had a "head" through booze obtained at Blackball, where he alleged he went for luggage. Telephone inquiries to-day failed to confirm the search visit, and it is surmised there was no luggage there, and that what he brought to the hotel on Sunday morning was the missingmoney.

Hall's condition has slightly improved, and James hopes to be abcuf in the course of a week.