THE PAPAKAIO MURDER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8274, 30 October 1906, Page 5

THE PAPAKAIO MURDER.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. By Telegraph—Press Association. OAMARU,| October 29. Tbe Papaksio murder case was oommencd to-day, when John FindJay was charged with tbe murder of JRennie. Mr Creagb, Grown Froseoutor, is appearing for tbe police, and Mr Hanlon for tbe accused. In opening tbe oase Mr Creagb stated tbe facts, and mentioned that it was now concluded that two bullets were fired. JRennie was known to have cashed a obeque three weeks before tbe murder, and fcareful enquiry bad showed that Ronnie would have about £1 18s left in the house at the time of bis death, a aura that corresponded almost exactly with what accused had id bis possession on the day alter the murder, though on tbe previous evening he was known to have had no money at all. Among deceased's missing effects was a razor ' with the name on it of a Dunedin barber, who hsd been on: of business for some years, and a similar razor was found on the pieue of land at which Findlay was working on the day after the mur-

oer. Twelve witnesses were called as to the finding of the body, disorder of the house, etc, tbe evidence being similar for tbe most part to that given at the'inquest. The girl Johnston, who facted as Rennie's housekeeper, deposed that Findlay visited the house on the afternoon before the murder, canvassing for a bakery cart which he proposed to start, and enquiring how many people lived there. Sertft. Griffiths deposed that, in addition to a chisel found inside the bedroom, whioh was apparently usci to open the drawers and writing desk, there was another chisel outside the kitchen window, whioh appeared to have been used to prize up the same window. The evidence of several witnesses who saw accused in the vicinity of the scene of tbe tragedy was also taken, and as to bh expressed desire to keep out of way of the poline, lest they should ariest tim, and return bins to the Port Stephens from which ho said he was a runaway sailor. Charles Henry, of Dunedin, gunsmith, deposed that in bis opinion the two ballets were lodged in the bead of the dmje&eed the second having been shattered on the flrßt. Had tue shot been fired from a ride it would have gone right through the head, and he concluded, therefore, the shot wps from a revolver.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,