THE RUNANGA MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 6

THE RUNANGA MURDER.

THE TRIAL CONTINUED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Grey mouth, Dec. 1. Tiie hearing, of the murder charge is likely to extend to Tuesday. Fourteen witnesses were examined yesterday, and there are 27 more to be heard. It is ilou'btful if Paymaster Hall will be able to give evidence. Yesterday he had a bullet extracted from his arm, but lie is still in a critical condition, the lower portion of his body being parlysed. It is understood that the X-rays apparatus at the hospital is not sufficiently powerful to definitely locate other bullets in the body. The depositions of Hall, taken at the hospital some days ago, will probable he put in. Detective Ward gave formal evidence of police inquiries. He produced Hall's revolver, from which four shots had been l\rod_ Sardine tins of a brand unprocurable on this coast were also produced. Accused asked no questions.

Dr. Usher said "Hall was admitted to hospital in a highly critical condition. He described the wounded man as being paralysed fn limbs and in part of the stomach. He had examined Coulthard, who was penetrated near the heart by a bullet.

John Pender said that two days prior to the murder he walked from his stables on to Eunanga road, and there met a man with a bicycle. The latter asked Mere the State mine office was situated. Ho said he had lost his way, and asked: "Did not the mine car come from town this morning?" He received an affirmative reply, and was told thatif Hall had picked a bag up he would get it. The' conversation then turned to the New Zealand Cup, prisoner stating that lie favored Rose Pink. The Magistrate: We/don't want that. Witness, continuing„;said that a fortnight later he met thft*sainn man a/bout a miln on the Greymfouth side of the scene of the tragedy. Thoy stopped and had a conversation about the Cup. He had no hesitation in identifying the man accused as the person. Greymouth, Later. ; The Runanga. "murder charge was continued this afternoon. Evidence was Kivcn by witnesses who saw accused in an empty hilt near the scene of tho murder prior to the tragedy. Others saw him going in that direction several times.

One witness, in his evidence, .said that ho found an obstruction on the road near the scene of the murder some days prior. Each identified the accused as the man seen in the empty hut. A (hotel-keeper at Grevmoiilh deposed that accused staved at tho hptel th& night after the murder and told contrarlietory stories of his movements The case is unfinished: