BUSH TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1920, Page 5

BUSH TRAGEDY.

SETTLER MURDERED, ' BROTHER'S TREK FOR HELP, • BAREFOOT THROUGH THE BUSHv By Telegraph.—Press Assn,—Copyright. Taumarunui, Oct. 18. It is reported that a murder occurred at the back-block settlement of Tokirima, 2i> miles out, last night. It is stated that a returned soldier, \V. Anderson, aged 30 or 40 years, went to the house of Loft brothers and found Jim Loft, a married man, and his nephew, Fred_ Tel four, at home. The man asked for tea and bread, which Loft got. He next asked for an overcoat and then said: "Are you all at home?" Loft replied "Yes." Anderson said: "I will get the two of yeu," meaning the Loft brothers. He then pointed a rifle at Jim Loft, but Telfour, whose age was 18, interposed, receiving the charge jn the chest. He died in five minutee. The other brother Loft was absent at a farm at Ohura. Jim Loft rushed through a bedroom, escapod through the window, swam the Ohura Iliver, and walked barefoot through the bush for 10 miles to the Aukomie boat landing on the Wanganui River, where he is now in bed in a state of collapse. The Taumarunui police went out this morning with the coroner. Anderson had been discharged by Loft Brothers, and it is alleged that he had a grudge against tliem. Anderson is still at large. He used to live at Taumarunui, and was well known as a Scotch piper. FUGITIVE OBTAINS CARTRIDGES. THE PURSUIT COMMENCED. Taumarunui, Last Night. Anderson called at a settler's this morning and loaded himself with cartridges. He was seen at one o'clock to-day crossing a bridge at Blarembergs, in the direction of Tokirima. Police and settlers have gone to meet him and effect his capture. ANDERSON TIRED" AT. RETREATS FURTHER IN BUSH. Taumarunui, Last Night. Anderson was traced by the search party to thick bush near Roaehe's whare, where the quarry was fired at, but he .retreated further into the Lush. It is raining hard, and the search party is having a trying time.