KARIOI TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1918, Page 4

KARIOI TRAGEDY.

MURDER CHARGE CONCLUDED. ROBERTSON COMMITTED FOR TRIAL {By Telegraph.—Special to "Siar.") OHAKUUE, Wednesday.

The charge against John Robertson of having murdered his camp mate, Peter Lars en, at Karioi on Februai;- 24 was concluded this afternoon.

Dr. W. J. Feltham deposed that injuries to the head caused the death of Larson, and that he considered it probable that the injuries had been caused by blows with an instrument such as a pick-head. Constable A. McCowan, who, with Constable Annison, arrested Eobertson, said that Robertson stated that all the men had become more or less drunk. They started a game of bridge, but were too drunk to play it, and had played nap instead. He (Robertson.) lent Peter Larsen £1, and liarsen had loet money When Robertson was told that he wouM be arrested, he eaid: "I am just telling you the truth. It was the liquor they brought here that caused the whole trouble, the cursed stufi: If they had only kept it out of the camp. It is a serious thing. I suppose it will be a Supremo Court case. I knew that you fellows would be along, but I did not expect you to-night. I thought you would be along in the morning. I told the men you would be up for mc in. the morning." Constable James Annison gave corroborative evidence, after which accused reserved bis defence, and was committed for trial at the session of the Supreme Court which is to open at Wanganui on May 27.