MEMBERS CHARGED WITH MURDER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 11 October 1916, Page 5

MEMBERS CHARGED WITH MURDER.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION'—rni>TRIQB».

SYDNEY, Oct. 10. At the inquest on Constable Duncan who w..s found dead at Tottenham en feepternoer .28, the police produced a statement made by jj'rank Franz that tne Kennedy brotners proposed shcotung b[ mca"- Under threats to kill him, they forced Franz to accompany tnem and discharge a rifle at Duncan after they had each fatally shot Duncan Franz declared he was. led astray 17 , c! 1?y AY • A»°ther statement by Roland Kennedy is that Franz proposed the shooting, and that he fired twice. Kennedy declared that his brother Herbert refused to participate saying he was married and it was not \vortn his while. A third statement I I el Herbeit Kennedy declared that he knew nothing of the shooting 11 ? ext morning» nen "his brother told him. He admitted he was spokesman for the 1.W.W., and believed in their teaching. He was formerly a member of the New Zealand police, but resigned about five years ago. All three were committed for trial for the murder of Duncan.

(BY TELEGHAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION}

WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. Michael Kennedy, the ex-policeman mentioned in the Sydney cable; was a constable stationed in Wellington for eighteen months. He resigned and became prominent at Waihi during the strike. After several officials had°been arrested he was elected president, of the Miners' Union, but subsequently had to seek police protection, and was escorted out of the town.