DEATH-BED CONFESSION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 October 1930, Page 5

DEATH-BED CONFESSION

MURDER- OF 1892 RECALLED

ACCUSED CLEARED OF SUSPICION

(Bv Telegraph —Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Oct. 23

The Lora Gorge murder, by which the name of a crime committed 38 years- ago has been known, is no longer -ai mystery, for recently, it is stated, a deathbed -confession was made which completely -clears from suspicion a man Avho stood in the dock at Winton charged Avit-h t'he 'crime and many lOithers AA'bo- Avere under the cloud. The erimo concerned t'he death ot Richard Bell at Lora Gorge on July 26, 1-892. An arrest was -subsequently made and accused, after -evidence had been taken in the lower court at Winton, Avas -committed for trial at the sitting of the Supreme Court :;t Invercargill. The Crown, however, aid not proceed vvith the charge and the crime -lias remained a mystery ever since.

STORY OF THE CRIME. KILLED AT HIS OWN GATE. Richard' Bell, a setler in the Otaniri Gorge, was shot at his -gate oil Monday. July 28. 1892. He had attended a meeting of the Hokonui Farmers’ Club, and- Ava-s returning when the shot vvas fired. His brothel'-in-'iaw, Mr. J. McMaster, accompanied him on part of the wav home, and wished him to stay at his home for the night, but Bell would not, and pushed on homeward. He Avas stooping to open his gate Avhen the shot was fired from behind a tussock. The bullet struck -him in the cheek, carrying avvay the javv, but he vvas still living Avlien his wife, aaTio heard the shot,” ran doivn the track to see what had happened. She met the injured man, at a small bridge Avhich spanned the stream and Avhich lie could net cross until she assisted him. He died three hours later. . The murderer left the gun vvith the muzzle driven into l the ground. Ihe weapon was described as a, muzzle-ioao-or of inferior construction, the makers name being given as “Moore,, London. It AA'as nea-rlv nevv, though there was no evidence of 'its having been bought- m neighbourhood. Bdll left a widow and four or live children. He Avas 36 years of age.