THE KARIOI MURDER

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11473, 27 February 1918, Page 4

THE KARIOI MURDER

(For Freso Association.) Referring to the murder at Rarioi, the New Zealand Herald says: On Saturday night there was a four handed game of nap, the players being Robertson, Peter Larsen, William Parrow, and L. Salich, Hans Larsen took one h and and dropped out of the game, his place being taken by Peter Larsen. They played until 4a. in. Shortly before that hour, Larsen accused Robertson of cheating, and with the words “You’re cheating my camp mates,’’ he struch Robertson throe times on the face, blackening his eye. Robertson, it is alleged, did not retaliate. The game broke up, and the men went to bed. Farrow, the cook who was a tentmate with Hobertsou, alleges that about 6 a.ra. be was awakened by someone moving about, and he saw Robertson look at himself in the looking glass and go out of the tent. Remembering the quarrel between the two men, and fearing trouble, lie rushed to Hans Larsen’s tent and awakened him. Ho also awakened Jackson, and together they went to Peter Larsen’s tent, and found him unconscious and groaning, with blood issuing from bis right ear. Very soon afterwards he expired. Salich then left the camp, without breakfast, and v,'alked to Ohakune, where be gave information to the police. Constable Annison, accompanied by Dr Felthnm, at once left for Karioi, and on arrival at tire • camp found Robertson missing, although he bad remained about for some time after the tragedy. He did not go far, however, hs he returned Isto in the afternoon, and bad tea at the camp, afterwards going to bed about 11 p.m., and was in bed when ar - rested by the police.