THE RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145999, 4 December 1917, Page 3

THE RUNANGA TRAGEDY.

EGGERS BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. PEE EBKJS ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, Dec. 3. In the murder case, just before the luncheon adjournment, Detective Anbott said the accused had asked in open court tor an interview with Miss M'Mahon before being brought to the coast. The magistrate said the police could airrange an interview at Christchurch. This interview took place at eight o’clock in the evening, when there were present Miss M‘Mahon, Chief-Detective MTlveney, witness and accused. Miss M‘.Mahon was warned by the chief detective that it would be better for her not to discuss the case with accused, as whatever he said would be taken down as evidence. Accused was similarly warned. Miss M'Mahon had a conversation with accused. Speaking to accused,, she said: “Oh, Will,” and' then there waa a pause for a bit, when she said; “Did you shoot the boy?” Accused said: “I can’t say, Macksey, as there’s someone else there.” Miss M‘Mahon said: “Can’t you clear yourself?” Accused said: “No; it’s no use. I haven’t a ghost of a chance. They have got enough evidence to hang me six times over.” Miss M'Mahon said; “Don’t talk about hanging to me, Will. You, know how I feel. Why did you bring • that bag to our room ?” Accused replied : “I do not know, Macksey. I i made two mistakes.” He wont on to ask her to promisei to fill m a form that he was going to write and send her by post. He asked her several times to comply with the request that would bo contained in the letter. Miss M‘Mahon again said; “Why did you bring money to the room?” Ho said; “Look at tho position I am placed in. I can do nothing; I’m watched." Then, addressing the detectives present, accused said: “You can take it from mo that she -did not know money was in the bag,” following this up with: “She did not know I was on the coast.” She said: “Yes, I did not know you were on tho coast till I got a. postcard. I thought you were down south.” That was practically the whole interview. The principal witness this afternoon was Miss M'Mahon, barmaid of the Empire Hotel, Christchurch. Her evidence was much on the lines of Detective Abbot’s. In respect to the interview with accused, when accused returned from the coast he told Miss M'Mahon he had been dealing in sheep and cattle and had lost all_his money, but he afterwards said he was only joking, land that he had made £6OO or £7OO. William Tcasdale, an expert gunsmith, gave evidence regarding the bullets found in Coulthard and Hall being similar to those found in accused’s possession. Tlie case lasted till 5 o’clock, when accused was committed for trial at tho next sitting of the Supreme Court at Christchurch.