THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 222, 25 October 1909, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

CORONIAL INQUIRY. A VERDIDT Off MURDER. MOTIVE 01~THE CRIME.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christclmreh, Saturday Niglit. The inquest touching the death of Alice Edith Newman, who was shot dead in the .Silver Grid un Monday night, was resumed b:'fore „\|r. W. ii. ilasi'lden (coroner) and a jury of six this, morning', 'i'hc accused man, Holicrts, was again in Court in charge of two constables.

Constable Kvans said tliiil on Die llltih inst. he was searching for Roberts in the Prebbleton Hotel. About M.30 a.m. he quietly entered the bar. Huberts was there leaning 0 n the counter writing a letter. Roberts put the letter in "his pocket. Witness put his' hand in .Roberts' pocket and found a revolver (produced), loaded in six chambers. Witness took the revolver and ammunition. He handcuffed Roberts anil then charged him with the murder of Alice NewMan. He replied: "You've got the wrong man this time." A few minutes later he took the letter (produced) that he had been writing from bis pocket and threw it behind him. Witness picked it up, and Roberts asked him to destroy it. Roberts (hen took another letter (produced) from his pocket and tore it in half. He again asked witness to destroy them, as they would do him harm. i

The Coroner then vend the two letters to the jury, who afterwards examined them. The first letter, which was addressed "Dear Mr. Burns," was as follows:

" Excuse me for writing you these few lines, but I could not live without Alice. lam taking my own life now, and I am s'orry I did not take that life who was trying to do me of it. We've a child, and I hope you will get somebody to look after it. If it had been near us at the time I would have done for the poor little chap rather than see him homeless in this world. Might God forgive me for doing such a thing, but I could not see her mess'ing around other fellows. So, Air. Burns, you might do me a favor inletting my people know about this sad thing. Write to Mrs. Sinclair, 47

Ure Street, Govan, Glasgow." The letter bore the signature " A Roberts'," which, however, had been deleted. The second letter was in the form of a poem, and was written on the back of a letter to Roberts from his mother in Glasgow. It was as follows: "Whoever finds this, send it home to my mothe'r."

"Dear mother, D cannot live without her, However much I try, When I think of our troubles How bitterly I cry. I think it will be better When underneath the clay,

When our souls meet together In that bright land forever." The letter was signed: "Your broken hearted son."

Continuing his evidence, Constaolo Evans said be found a box of cartridges on accused. At 12.10 p.m. the jury retired, and an hour later returned the following verdict:— "That the said Alice Edith .Newman died at Christehurch on October . 18th, 1009, from a bullet-wound inflicted by Arthur John Wilson Roberts, and that the said Arthur John Wilson Roberts did murder the said Alice Edith Newman."

Roberts will appear at the Magistrate's Court next Wednesday on the charge of murder.