RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2521, 3 February 1877, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before W. Fraser, Esq., R.M.) Alleged Murder. James Rogers, alias Roger Armstrong, was charged that at Thames on or about the 29th day of March, 1868, he did feloniously, wilfully, and with malice aforethought, murder one William Mather otherwise known as Red Bill. Mr Sub-Inspector Bullen stated that this day week the prisoner had given himself up at Wangarei as the murderer of Bed Bill. He was arrested and taken before the justices there, but was discharged for want of evidence. He had been subsequently re-arrested and remanded to the Thames. To-day he'would ask that His Worship take the evidence of Constable Hammond, who had arrested I the accused. He (Mr Bullen) had telegraphed to Wellington for the depositions' of the inquest on Red Bill, and he expected them up within a week.. Christopher Hammond, sworn, deposed —I pa special constable-stationed at Wangarei. I recollect Saturday last, the!' 27th January. On that day the accused came to me in the street in Wangarei Township. He came to me to give, himself up as the murderer of a man named Red Bill. He stated that "Red Bill had some money belonging to two parties at the Thames in 1866, aud ho (Bed Bill) would not give the money up. Red Sill

went with us to Grahamstown to a house known as Maggie Winepress. He cursed and would not giro ns the money, and we then threw him down a shaft. He was found dead a few days afterwards in the shaft." Accused then made a pause. I asked:! him what he meant by sayiiig "we,"r and he replied, "I | threw him .down the shaft." He then went on to say "ihe coroner's inquest found a verdict of " Accidental Death." All the drink.l take will not drown it. My heart was full; it must come ouL If lamto be hung I'm prepared." That is all he said in relation to that subject. I locked him up. He gave his n'aine J as •James Hogers alias Roger Armstrong. Later on the same day f I brought the accused before two justices at Wangarei. The statements I.have now given, here denied by the accused before the justices.. The accused said that he had no recollection of ' what he said to me. The accused was then-discharged. In consequence, of.- instructions -kreceiyed- J- reArrested him on Tuesday last oh'the same charge, and again brought him before two justices, on January 31st v . I heard, .the prisoner'make the following statement:— "My name is Roger-Armstrong. I landed in Auckland in *1864." I went up the Waikato under the command of Colonel Lyon. I was transferred to the-Wanga-nui Yeomanry Cavalry. I was then transferred to act as armourer in an expedition to Opotiki. on the East Coast. I then went to Taurariga and came from there to. the .Thames. 7 I. was employed by a man teamed Mad Frank' for about six months.. I .then went to Oiiinemuri. I was without money; but I was trusted by.4he.,s£orekeepera as I was prospecting. I was' not' 'successful, and after a time I came down, to Shortland. , I called at Davy Sheehan's public-house. There' was a row. going, on there that night. In the row Davy Sheehan lost his watch and chain, and I was accused of taking-it. 1 1 was tried, found guilty, and received , eighteen months'- imprisonment. After, serving six months I got free for good conduct. I cannot recollect at present the date I was freed.. I have been knocking about north' of Auckland 'ever since' I was' out; of prison. I do not recollect when I came north. -1 have no recollection of making n statement to Constable Hammond'of murdering Bed Bill. I- do not know a man of that name. 1' That was all he said. He was then remanded by the justices till he came here. When I arrested him on the second occasion he asked me "Is there anything fresh? Do you suppose I will-get three or six months P " He has siuce denied making that statement in reference to the murder. The accused declined to cross-examine this witness, after which the evidence was read over and signed by the witness. , Mr Sub-Inspector Bullen applied for a remand till Monday week, the 12th February, to enable him to get up the evidence. « ~ Remanded accordingly. There wag a charge on the sheet of affiliation, but as neither party to the plaint' was in attendance the case was struck out- •- - - Court adjourned.'