LATER.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 2, 3 January 1924, Page 5

LATER.

BODY BADLY BATTERED. SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY. (Hy Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") TAIHAPE, this day. Investigation later in the morning revealed that GemmcU's head was badly battered, and his face -was badly cut about, the nose and jaw being broken. There were bloodstains on the floor in one room of the house, and some clotted blood had "been apparently swept into the fireplace. There were also signs that an attempt had been made to revive Gemniell by washing his face and body with water. Genimell- was" not very well known locally. He had worked for Moghan for a while, and was recently dismissed from Meghan's service. The police are rather reticent about the affair, and it cannot be definitely ascertained if there were others at Moghan'e house on the night of the tragedy. The police are not yet prepared to make a definite statement beyond the fact that GemmelVs body was found as stated, and that Moghan was arrested. The scene of the tragedy is a small house situated on Warnui Road and somewhat isolated. It is not known just when the tragedy occurred.

When Moghan's house was visited later in the morning it was found to be in a very dirty state, and the police brought away with them a qua .tity of material. No trace could be found of any weapon. Moghan is a very powerful man physically. He had been baching in the house where the tragedy occurred for some time past. It was stated earlier in the day that others may have been involved, but no evidence that others were in the house last night has yet been tendered.

Later particulars are to the effect that Moghan stated to Sergeant Matthews that he gave himself up, adding that he was responsible for the death of Gemmell, and that others were in the house at the time.