The Alleged Murder of Red Bill.

Thames Star, Issue 2519, 1 February 1877, Page 2

The Alleged Murder of Red Bill.

In last night's Auckland Star we find the following further particulars of the confession, made by .Rogers or Armstrong at Wangarei:—-Rogers asked (the constable) if they could get a private room. Ho took Rogers to the Court-house, where he made the following statement: His name was James Roger, alias Roger Armstrong. He said he was the murderer of Red or Rate Bill at the Thames in 1860 He (Bill) had money on him belonging to two parties. They met at a house kept by Maggie Winepress. He Rogers asked Bill for money. Bill cursed and refused to give us (he used the plural sense here), and we threw him down a shaft. He . was found dead a few days after in the shaft. A Coroner's inquest was held, and a verdict of " Accidental death returned." Rogers made no other reference to " We." In the evening he was brought before Justices Bedlington and Keyburn when be denied the truth of his statement, though he did not deny having made it to the constable. He was discharged for want of evidence- On instructions from Mr Broham he was re-arrested last night. He was at the Whangarei Hotel drinking, and asked whether there was anything fresh, and appeared nervous. The constable warned him against committing himself. He said he supposed he would get three or six months for making a false declaration. Otherwise he is very quiet. Hammond takes Eogers to Auckland tomorrow.