THE HIGHWAY ROBBERY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 6

THE HIGHWAY ROBBERY

9 \ MURDERER STILL AT LARGE

WHOLE DISTRICT ROUSE®

By Tclcgraph-Press Association. Greymouth, November JO. There are 110 fresh developments' regarding tho highway robbery. iTho police are very reticent, but so 'far as tho public can judge there is no dofinite clue to tho identity or -whereabouts of tho murderer. Parties of police, and miners are again scouring the country to-day. The condition of Mr. Hall is still critical. Tho amount of money 6tolen, .£3600 odd, included the pay to both of tho Stato mines. At the inquest, commenced yesterday, regarding C'oulthard's death, the doctor's evidence was taken.. It showed tliajt tho bullet in tho ayfx of the right lung severed tho subclavian artery. The two men who were arrested yesterday wero charged with vagrancy. "Detective Ward said he arrested them on the Runanga Road yesterday shortly after the tragedy, and unsatisfactory answers to tho ■ police questions led to their arrest. There was no further evidence against them, and both were discharged. i November 11. No arrest has yet been made in connection with the highway robbery and murder. The whole district is roused and searching of the bush is diligently proceeding. Suspicion points to a man who camped in an fjapty cottage for a fortnight near tho scene of the tragedy. He was evidently an expert criminal. Accosted bv the owner,of the premises in the dust of evening lie stated that he only pulled in there out of the rain, and that he was eventually proceeding to Eewanui. The owner stated that that was all right, and told the man to make himself comfortable. Chaff was scattered over tho floor and ferns spread everywhere, it is'supposed to hide footmark's,. A sheet of iron was nailed up to eacli window. Before leaving the cottago the occupant cleaned up all tho tins and refuse—it is supposed to give no duo with fingerprints. If this man is captured 'his identity can be proved, although lie never made himself known.' Ho accosted a little girl on tho way to school on the morning of the tragedy, and told her to hurry for her life.

Mr. Hall is still in a precarious state. It is supposed that his spine is affected.

Air. James is not so well. The doctors are of opinion- that there is another bullet to be removed.

At the funeral of the late Mr. John Coulthard to-day the whole district was represented. - '

it is stated now that no arrest is likely for some little while, or until the man is driven out of the bush.