The Bannockburn Tragedy.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4858, 23 October 1894, Page 2

The Bannockburn Tragedy.

(UyTelegrapb.—Press Association,) Dunkwn, Monday. Blue, who murdered McKersie, wns a lunatic. McKersie was shot, the upper part of the skull being lifted clean off on ono side, The charge of shot never scattered, being found iu one solid lump at the base of the brain. Blue was only discharged from the hospital a couple of days before. McKersie had gone to his hut to attend to his wantß. Having done so, McKersie began to pan prospects, Blue, seeing am opportunity, arose from bed, and, seizing a gun, discharged it point blank at deceased, The motive appears to be that Blue had an idea that McKersie and Wright, his partner, had taken up an adjacent claim, which Blue held belonged to him. Lateii. At the inquest on the remains of McKersie, the following verdict was returned; "That John McKersie met his death by a gunshot wound wilfully inflicted by Archibald Blue." Latest Particulars. ' Duxhhk, Tuesday. Wright|thepartnerofthomurdercd man McKersie, went out of his way, occupying four bom's in' reaching the township, fearing he might be overtaken by Blue. Wright, Robertson and Blue had tea together, but it is thought there was something the matter with it, and anothor man who drauk of it was affected with cramp. Blue bad been bad for some time. He had cut off a dog's head before going in to McKcrsio and Wright.