THE PAPAKAIO MURDER.

NZ Truth, Issue 82, 12 January 1907, Page 5

THE PAPAKAIO MURDER.

Discovery of Rennie's Bicycle

Near Where Findlay Lived.

It was quite natural that great excitement would 'be caused at Papakaio and Oamaru and its environs by the. discovery of the bicycle of the late William Hay Ronnie, the schoolmaster who -was murdered m his sleep, and for which murder young Findlay was tried at Dunedin and acquitted. The machine was found m an arm of the Waitaki River opposite the house of one Tomlinson, with whom Findlay hoarded, and it was near tbaspot where the witness, Millen, said he saw a man with a bike the night after the. murder, and now they are searching for the murdered man's watch. Well, there is only one thing to be said about this. It must not be stated that Findlay committed the crime ; but the locality m which he lived should most undoubtedly ■ -.-■

HAVE BEEN SEARCHED FIRST.. Why was not that river . searched before the trial, especially as it was near where the suspected man'- lived ? Yet, no fewer than forty-two witnesses were called for the prosecution none of whom actually connected Findlay with the deed and consequently lawyer Hanlon did not find it necessary to call any evidence ■ for the defence, and now, though nobody could connect Findlay with that bicycle, he cannot be tried again because he has been aeqpitted. It might be mentioned that •Findlay has left that district and is now walking the streets of Chnstchuroh with a jaunty air. fie says he expects to ejet Work shortly.