THE RUAHINE MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 174, 31 December 1914, Page 8

THE RUAHINE MURDER.

GERMAN LABORER DISAPPEARS. A COLD-BLOOMD CRIME. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Taihape, December 30.

M'Cann was an esteemed settler at Ruahine, and for the last two years had been dairy farming on his own account. On Monday morning, Arthul Rotterman, an unnnturalised German who had been working for three months, took the milk to the Ruahine factory. The manager pointed out that there was only half the usual supply there, and ■ Rotterman stated in excuse that in his hurry to get away ho knocked, some cans over, and thus spilt tho milk. The explanation was accepted, but as there was no milk from M'Cann's yesterday, the factory manager and his assistant decided to visit M'Cann's to find the cause of such an unprecedented occurrence. M'Cann was found lying face downwards in the cow-hail in a pool of Mood, with his head split open. A doctor and the police Were communicated > with, and then an entry was forced into the house. A ghastly, sight met those ■who entered the bedroom. Mrs. M'Cami 'was found on the floor, with her head apu't in three places, in a pool of blood, and the thirtcen-montlis baby boy on a pillow on the bed, which was saturatI ed with blood, practically beheaded. M'Cann was 35 years old, Mrs, M'Oann came from England two years ago to marry him. Naturally the occurrence cast the whole of Rangitikei district into a state of gloom.

Rotterman absented himself on Saturday and Sunday without leave, and returned late, on Sunday night. It was presumed M'Cann chastised him, and Rotterman evidently seized the opportunity to murder M'Cann with a tomahawk, which was yesterday found covered with hair and blood on the grass under the window of the room occupied by Rotterman. The pcreptrator of the outrage then evidently murdered Mrs M'Cann and the child, delivered tlje milk to the factory, returned to the house, changed his clothes, saddled, a horse and rode to Mangaweka, nine miles distant. Then he conversed with several people and put the horse in a stable, with instructions, if he did not return that night, to turn the horse into the paddock. Then he boarded the South Auckland-Wellington express at Mangnweka, and was last seen in the diningoar having lunch. A warrant has icon issued for his arrest.

At the inquest this morning, evidence of identification was given and adjourned till next Wednesday. Rotterman, who was formerly a seaman on the Hinemoa, was discharged owing to being an alien.