TOKORIMA TRAGEDY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3619, 4 November 1920, Page 4

TOKORIMA TRAGEDY.

ANDERSON BEFORE COURT.

CHARGED WITH MURDER.

J TAUMARUNUI, Nov. 3. I Before Mr. E. W. Burton, S.M., this morning William Anderson was charged that on October li he murdered Frank Telfer and attempted to murder James Edward Loft. Mr. H. T. Gillies (Crown Prosecutor) conducted the case, and Mr. G. P. Findlay represented Anderson. Thomas Kelly police photographer) produced a series of photographs taken at the scene of the tragedy—two inI terior views, one of the outside of a | window through which the shot was I fired, and one general view of the exterior of the dwelling, one view showing fences over which James Loft jumped when running away from Anderson, and a panoramic view of the house and locality. Mr. G. T. W. Owen, civil engineer, of the Public Works Department, put in plans made by him of the scene of the tragedy. He stated that he took accurate measurements of the farmhouse "and the vicinity, also of the interior of the .dwelling. James Edward Loft, farmer, of Tokorima, 23 miles from Taumarunui, said ho lived on his brother George's farm. Witness first met Anderson shortly after returning from the war, but did not see him again until he started work at the homestead early last June. George Loft paid Andersono on October 7. He employed Anderson as a farm labourer, his wages being £3 10s per 1 week and found. Accused came to his house that night to return a borrowed horse. * Anderson stayed the night and left early the following morning. Anderson mentioned that he was going to Taumarunui. He appeared quite rational, and bore no signs of liquor.on him. Witness nest saw Anderson .on the evening of the tragedy. He appeared at the kitchen window „ shortly before 7 o'clock. The family were at tea. Those present were•■ his ■ brother Herbert, Morris, the deceased Telfer, witness' wife and four children; also a maid named Winifred Hefferman. Anderson pushed the window sash up, saying, "Don't be alarmed; here I am again.: Give me some crib, Winnie.'?. The maid did nof~understand,. so witness told her to-give him some food, asking Anderson to come in and have tea. Anderson refused to come in, say- ! ing "I don't want to get into a trap." Anderson was given some food, and ate it while standing at the window, later accepting two cups of tea. Anderson asked for food for the road, and some was given him. He also asked for an overcoat. Herbert gave him one. Witness identified the coat produced. Anderson said all the: police- in the country were after Mm, being a quarter of an hour behind him." He added: "I am up against it, and I will stop at nothing. • ■ I can. see the lights behind me." Accused was a little excited, .but showed no sign of liquor. After Anderson had finished his tea and put a coat on he pieked up a rifle, placed the barrel pointing over the window sill, and said: 'I I have got to business now. 1 .am -ii earnest." Tie pojnt of the rifle had clay on it. Telfer remarked: "It is blocked up with clay." Anderson replied: "That is all right." Witness w T as sitting in an easy chair against the window. Telfer was at the corner of the mantelpiece nearest the window. Witness asked accused: "Have you got the fills for it, Bill?" Anderson replied, "I have everything." Prior to Anderson;, presenting the rifle Herbert; went to leave the room, but accused ordered him not to leave. Anderson said that witness had been telling" the police things about him. Witness replied, "Good God, Bill, I never said a word." Anderson .retorted, "I have come here with the intention of doing two of you in, but 1 think I will do one." Anderson ordered all the others to one side of the room, saying, "I am going to blow Jim's brains out." Anders... i took half a pace back from the window and presented the rifle. Mrs. Loft screamed, and the" others made a move to get out. Witness rushed towards the door of Winnie's room, and was then under cover. The deceased Telfer's elbow rested on the mantelpiece, Anderson was four feet from the window when witness last saw him. Looking back after the shot was fired witness just caught sight of Telfer striking the Jfloor. Witness rushed through the window. He heard a scuffle outside a little to the left, but could see nothing. Witness made for the back of the house, and was going for his lffe over a fence when Anderson fired at him. He recognised Anderson by the light caused through

the flash of the rifle. He fell over a stump, but got up, ran on, got over a second fence, and lay under a log. He heard the fence rattle, and then continued his flight. IHc never saw Telfer grasp the rifle. The .303 rifle produced was Iho property of his brother Herbert, and was similar to the one accused had on tlie night of the tragedy.

James Edward Loft said no ill feeling existed between Anderson an J! Telfer. There was absolutely no cause for ill-feeling between accused and wit-

ness. He saw Anderson under, the influence of liquor once. He was then quiet. He had never obtained medi-i cine from Mr. Kenderdine, chemist, o£ Taumarunui, had never been in a. "scrap" in his life, and had neves doped accused, and had never frightened him while he was riding a horse over a bridge. He never Anderson 's horse at any time. Accuser never had permission to shoot at any time at his place, and witness never gave him permission to get his brother's rifle from Len Mackay. Accused said he would do Harland brothers in, as he was afraid of the rope. Anderson accused them of injectingsomething into his a~fm with two pTong» on it.

<• Herbert Hedley Loft, was present on the night of the tragedy, gave evidence on the lines of the previous witness. He said that accused and J witness' brother James were talking in a friendly When Anderson had finished his meal anff' got a coat on, he said: "Jim, I fear you are the cause of a lot of my trouble. I am' going to blow your brains out. One Or two have got to pass on, and which one lam not sure." Telfer sprang to grasp accused's rifle. Whether he actually got hold of the rifle or not,-' witness did not know. Just then a shot was fired, and Telfer fell back' groaning. Jim jumped through the window. He (witness) never gave Anderson authority to get the rifle from Mackay. He thought the aecused spoke on more than one occasion of "doing in '' Harland brothers, because he said 1 they had doped him, saying they had injected something into bis arm with a two-pronged instrument. Herbert C. Cheeseman,' medical practitioner, stated that he examined the* body of Telfer, and extracted a bullet,. which was a soft-nosed one.