THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17995, 12 February 1924, Page 9

THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY.

TRIAL OF HIGGINS,

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGP.AiI.')

AUCKLAND. February 11

At the .Supreme Court to-:!: 1 -}' ■If 1 '" 1 Christopher Iligitins appeared betore his Honour Mr Justice Stringer and a jury, charged with the murder or boys by shooting at. aikino tchoohouse on October 19th. Accused was represented by Sullivan, who pieaded not guilt} ■ As Mr V. E. S. Meredith. Crowu Prosecutor, was opening the c:ise. Ip told how the little boy pleaded in vain for his lit'e. onu 11 in the crowded court, wept, and oec.i sionally sobs were heard as other hear rending incidents were relate^. Evidence proceeded on the lines 0 the trial in the Lower Court. In his evidence, R. T. Reid, so ioo master, said that accused had a s^. look during the conversation. A\i.ne s considered that Higgins was mad. and said that he thought that had he 1: "^ n rational, the prisoner would have va von soine notice of witness's pleading no to shoot at the children. In cross-examination, witness said on the day of the tragedy the accused was not in his normal mind. He would say that he was mad. There was a pccii iar expression in his eyes. _ . Re-examined, witness said that m the interview accused did not appear excited. Counsel: Was he speaking under an„ stress of feeling? . "Witness: No; he seemed to be tairiy calm—as if he bad studied the matter out. , T Was there lack of intelligence s - iNo. He gave you a chance to communicate with the police? —Yes. His Honour: When you say he was mad, vou mean in a general sense

Ypo His Honour: In discussing the matter with you, he appeared to ha\e followed your statement and • l j'P ro ' ciated it as a rational man would Witness: "Well, I could not say that. Ho did not appreciate it as a rational man would, or he might have taken some notice of it.. His Honour: But he understood vour argument? Witness: Yes. . Ilis Honour: He said he had made us mind up?

Witness: Yes. . The case had not concluded when uit Court rose for the day.