MURDER OF AGED FARMER

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 9

MURDER OF AGED FARMER

OCTOGENARIAN AT KAIPAKI

CHARGE MADE AGAINST RICKAkD.

REMAND TO ALLOW OBSERVATION. By Tclefcraph.—Press Association. Auckland, April 29. When the ease of Reginald Thomas Norman Rickard, charged with murdering Arthur RUssiter at Kaipilki oil April 19, was called at the Police Court the pOlibe said that acidised would not appear, being under observation at a ineiital hospital. He was further reiiiand? ed to May 6. An octogenarian farihbr, Arthur Rossiter, was found dead at his farm at Kaipaki on the morning of April 1G With :r gunshot wound in his head; Rickard, agecl 35, who recently escaped from a loek-up, was arrested and ehdi'gfid with murder. Rossiter was shot through the back of tile head, apparently with a siiigle-bahrelled gun which was later recovered by the police. / Rickard, it was alleged, had been friendly with Rossiter’s daughter Olive at Taurtlnga. He was charged at Tauranga on April 1 with assaulting the girl. On that oecasibli lie Was reriiaiided for medical observation at Auckland. While aivaitillg transfer to Auckland he escaped from the lock-up at Tfiitraiigfi find had not been seen until the day ei the tragedy;