THE RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4733, 4 December 1917, Page 5

THE RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

EGGERS COMMITTED FOR TRIM,

"I HAVEN’T A GHOST OF A CHANCE.”

Press Association Telegram

GREYMOUTH, Dec. 3. The Runanga murder case was concluded to-day. Detective Abbot gave evidence that accused asked in open court for an interview with Miss McMahon before being brought to the Coast and the Magistrate said the police would arrange an interview at Christchurch. It took place at B'o’clock in the evening. There were present Miss McMahon, Chief Detective Mellveney, witness, and accused 1 . Miss McMahon was Avarned by the chief detective that it would be better for her not to discuss the case with accused and that Avhatever he said would be taken down as evidence. Accused was similarly warned. Miss-McMahon had. a conversation with accused: Speaking to accused she said: “Oh Will!”. Then there was a -pause for a bit, Avhen she said: “Did you shoot the boy?” Accused said: “I can’t say.” Chief Detective Mcllvney: “There’s someone else then?” Mis s McMahon said : ‘‘Can t you clear yourself?” Accused said: “No; it’s no use. I haven’t a ghost of a chance. They have got enough evidence to hang me six times over- ' Miss McMahon said: “Don’t talk about hanging to me. Will. You know how I feel. Why did you bring that bag to our room?” Accused: replied: “I do not know. I made two mistakes.” He went on to ask her to promise to fill in a form that he was going to write j t nd send her by post. He asked her several times to comply with the request that would be contained in the letter. Miss McMahon again said: “Why did you bring the money to the room?” He said: “Look at the position I am placed in. I can do nothingI’m watched.” Then.-addressing the detectives present, accused said: “You can take it from me that she did not know that the money Avas in the hag,” folloAving this up Avith: “She did nob know that I was on the Coast.” Miss McMahon said : “Yes; I did not know you "were on the Coast till I got your .post card. I thought you wore" down South.” That Avas practically the whole interview. The principal witness in the afternoon was Miss McMahon, barmaid at the Empire Hotel, Christchurch. I Her evidence Avas much on the lines I of Detective Abbot’s. In respect to | an interview with Avitness. when he • returned from the Coast, he told her 1 he had been dealing in sheep and! catI tie and had lost all his money, but he afterwards said he Avas only joking and had made six or seven hundred pounds.William Teasdale, an expert gunsmith gave evidence regarding the bullets found in Coultliard. andi Hall being similar to ones found m accused’s possession. , The case lasted till 5 o’clock,_ Avhen accused was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Christchurch. ~