CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7648, 27 May 1886, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER.

[by. telegraph.—press association.]

Gisborne, Wednesday. The charge of murder against William Rowland, commenced on Tuesday, concluded yesterday. The accused was committed for trial. The evidence showed that the deceased and the accused quarrelled over a partnership contract the night previous to the murder. Early next morning a Maori heard the report of a gun, and the accused came to him and said a Kuropcan was mad and shooting at him. The native paw the man come out of the whare all blocdy and go away in the direction of an hotel. The accused reported the affair to the police, and on inquiries they arrested him. The deceased, shortly before he died, swore on oath that he was stirring porridge for breakfast, when the accused shot him through the breast. The accused told the police that the deceased (Neave) had been brooding over money matters, and had shot himself, and tried to kill him (the accueed) with an axe. The medical evidence proved that the would could not have been self-inflicted. The evidence showed that deceased was quite sober and an industrious man, with no sign of mental delusion. His life was insured for £400, and he had £200 on depocit, which is left to hie mother in England.