THE WEST COAST TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1019, 12 November 1917, Page 6

THE WEST COAST TRAGEDY.

(Pai Vksss Association.} OREYMOUTH, Nov. 11. No arrest lias yet been made in connection with tin.'" highway robbery and murder. Tlio l whole district is roused and tho"searching of the bush is still diligently proceeding. ■ Suspicion points to a man who camped in -an empty cottage for a fortnight near the'.scene of the tragedy. He was •evidently'ah expert'criminal, ami when accosted: by tin- owner of the premises in VhV-dus'k of the''evening, stated .he had .only■•'pulled in there out o( the rain,,anil was eventually proceeding to "Rewaniii. The owner told him it was all right, and to make himself comfortable, phaff was scattered over the floor and ferns spread everywhere, it is supposed to hide all foot marks, ana fcheet iron was nailed over vaeh window. .Before leaving, the cottage was cleaned up of all tins and refuse in order, it is supposed, to fiive no clue with the iinHer prints, li" this man is captured his identity can be proved, although he never'made himself known. He accosted a little girl on her way to school on the morning of the tragedy, and told her to, "liurry ; for her life." Mr Hall is'still in a precarious stale, and it is supposed' that the '.spine is affected. Mr James is not so well, and the doctors .are of the opinion that another bullet is in his body. The funeral of John Couithard took place to-day. Tiki whole district was represented. It is stated now that no arrest Is likely to be made for sonic littl«- time or until the man is driven out of the hush.