CHARGE OF MURDER

Hawera Star, Volume L, 13 May 1931, Page 9

CHARGE OF MURDER

DEATH OF ELDERLY FARMER OPENING OF CROWN CASE DAUGHTER, GIVES EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAMILTON, May 13. Gruesome evidence relating to thedeath aj> his home at Karpaki on April 3.0 of Arthur Ross iter, aged 83, was produced in the Magistrate’s Court today, when Reginald Thomas Norman Rickards, aged 35, a painter, was charged with murdering Rossiter. Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., was on the bench. The Crown case was presented by Mr. H. T. Gillies and prisoner was represented by Air. J. J. Sullivan (Auckland). Prisoner presented a vastly different appearance from bis first appearance- at court the day following his arrest. On being placed in the dock prisoner asked if lie could sit down. His Worship (to Mr. Sullivan): Is anything physically wrong with prisoner? Prisoner said that he had been in bed for a fortnight. Permission to sit was then granted. Constable Naylor, official police photographer, produced a number of photographs taken immediately after the discovery of the tragedy. Olive May Rossiter, aged 29, daughter of deceased, said she had resided with her father at Kaipara for 27 .ears. She had first- met prisoner two rears ago, when he was painting a house in the district. They became friendly and later she consented to marry him. He bought her an cngeinent ring, but she broke off the engagement as he made no effort to get a home together. She remained friendv with him in the interim. In March this year £l3 was stolen from her father’s house, and a few days after the loss of the money accused came to stay with witness. While Rickards was there she heard her father accuse him of taking the money. Rickards denied stealing the money and said he was staying in Hamilton when it was taken. A few flays later witness, her father, and Rickards drove to the police station at Hamilton, Her father and Rickards entered while she remained outside. On March 16 she left for a holiday at Tauranga, and when the train was at Hamilton Rickards entered the carriage, travelling with her to Tauranga, Both stayed there with a Mrs. Pear'•ey, Rickards occupying a tent. While at Tauranga accused hit her over the head with a spanner. The police were informed and accused was subsequently arrested. ..