THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 8 January 1915, Page 4

THE RUAHINE TRAGEDY.

ROTTMANN'S' ADMISSION OF GUIL& i II A VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER, j • 1 By Te'egraph.—Per Press Association. Mangaweka, January 7, Evidence at the inquest on thfr MeCaaas was re-opencd. Detective-Ser» geant liawle, Wellington, deposed to ar« rusting Rottmann in the bush, adjacent to To Kamarama Station, Cape Tera« • whiti. Witness covered Rottmann with a revolver, and then handcuffed him. Rottmann said, in reply to the charge! of murder of McCann and his wife and child: "I am guilty. I know what I'vji done. God punish the man who brought me into this country."

-Mr. llnselden, S.lM_, as Coroner, gavs the following verdict: '"Joseph McCann, '.«<•}* Vi •Cann, raid her child, died at. Ruahine on December 28 from woundfl wilfully indicted by Arthur Rottmansf with an axe on the head and neck of thief three victims, and the said Arthur Rott* mann did wilfully nr.irder the said three McCanns." • ' It i l ,\ ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT

Arthur Rottmann was then with having, at Ruahine, on December 28, wilfully murdered Joseph Lucy MeCan;:, and her child, John McCann. Accm-cd was not represented by counsel. Mr. C. C. Hutton, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution. Walter Kelly, employe:! at the light* house at Tern whiti, elated that Rotk mann arrive:! there on December 28 OH horseback, and asked fcr work. He was directed to the manager of the sheepjstation. Rottmann returned two dayS later on foot, and said he had sold thai horse. Next clay the papers and lie handed Rottmann one. Accused asked, "Have you read the account of IV. murder at Ruahine?" Witness r« plied'in the negative. Rottmann then read the paper account aloud, and asked' witness about the prospects of gettinga boat to go to Pclorus Sounds. Wit* ness thought it would be best for Rott* mann to get the. Nelson boat at the wharf. Accused said, "I couldn't go to>the wharf. It is line 4 with detectives, arresting all Germans:" Witncs3 left, and stated his intention of getting the mail. Rottmann asked him not to tell the police he. was there. Witness wentaway and informed the police. Evidence on the same lines as given at the inquest yesterday was given by Herbert Sweet, Constable Esson, Gua« tave Kreger, and Albert Patchett. .

ROTTMANN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Taihape, Laat Night. Albert Kendrick deposed that he - aaw, Rottmaii at the Ruahine factory ati 0.30 a.m. on December 28th, drawing whey. He did not see accused smoking or making a cigarette. He could not remember Rottman using one, or with his two hands shifting cans, when, drawing the whty. Enlarging upon the evidence given at the inquest, Constable Essen said he.discovered a drawer in the room occupied by McGann open. It contained a' lady's hand bag, open. That contained a purse, also open. Only three shillinglS were found in the house. There was no evidence of the probable amount of money in the bouse at the time of tiha tragedy. 1 John Collis said he saw Rottman at Mangaweka on December 2S, and spoke to him. On the same day he saw hiut on the Main Trunk train between Feuding and Palroerston. An alteration was made in Detective Rawlo's evidence given at the inquest. Rawle said that when charged with the murders Rottman said, "I'm guilty. I 1-now what I've done. Kod punish thenan who brought liquor into this country. Rottman had eighteen shillings t'Tm when arrcpj^-d. (Evii&eiifee gireji on.' the Stinio linos vis at tlie inquest by several witnesses. Accused did not give evidence, and rft» M-ivcd his defence. .TTe was committed' for trial m tlie Supremo Court at " anganm on February 0