MURDER CHARGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20283, 18 April 1934, Page 7

MURDER CHARGE.

Cook in Dock at Waipukurau. SEQUEL TO STATION TRAGEDY. Per Press Association. WAIPUKURAU, April 18. As a sequel to a tragic happening on March 11, Harry Cape well, a cook, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with the murder of John Williams at Porangahau. The inquest proceedings, adjourned from March 12, were continued simultaneously before Dr 11. W. M. Kendall, District Coroner. Mr H. B. Lusk, Crown Prosecutor, Napier, appeared for the police, and Mr C. G. Harker, of Waipawa, for the accused. James Cecil Neale, registered surveyor, emplo>'ed in the Lands and Survey Department, Napier, said that oi. March 20, at the request of the police, he visited Papakihau station at Porangahau, in company with Detec-tive-Sergeant Bickerdike and Constables Moss and Sutton. The men’s quarters were pointed out to him. Witness took measurements and prepared a plan of the building now produced. Walter Thomas Budge, employed at the Papakihau station for about 20 years, gave evidence that he knew Williams, who was also employed at the station, but had left to go to the Porangahau station about three months before. lie had known the accused since January 1. Capewell had been employed as a ccok at the Papakihau station from that date. On Sunday, March 11, witness was at the station at tea time. The accused also was there. “ Appeared to be Jovial.’* Witness saw Williams at the station about 5 o’clock. He came through the dining-room when the employees were having tea and went into the kitchen. Capewell also was there. Williams appeared to be jovial and witness thought he might have had a “spot” or two, although witness would not say that he was drunk. Williams often came to the station. lie noticed a bottle in Williams’s pocket. Witness, with otiler employees, went on to the back verandah. Later Capewell and Williams also came there. ITe heard Williams say to Capewell that “ he was not going to take these jokes from him.” Capewell said it was quite all right. Williams appeared to be looking for trouble. Capewell went towards the kitchen and Williams remained for a few minutes chatting. Capewell went toward the kitchen. Williams remained on the verandah for a few minutes and then said: “ I’m going back to see Harry again.” and going into the wbare and along the passage. Williams and Capewell came out again shortly afterwards. They were & little more stirred up then. Williams took off his coat and made a rush at the accused, who simply pushed Williams, and both fell down. They were trying to hit each other, but no damage was done and both were separated. The accused went into the house again. Williams was the He was following the other man about. During the struggle Williams appeared to be unsteady on his feet. The accused, in the opinion of witness, was sober, but was getting excited at being followed. Heard a Scuffle. Afterwards the accused went into the house. Williams sta} r ed on the verandah. Witness and the others were trying to keep him away from the accused, but he went back into the whare. He said he was going to see Harry again. Witness went into his room, but w.ondered what would happen and strolled toward the kitchen. He heard a scuffle and went to the dining-room. He saw the two men in grips at the kitchen door. Williams had his back to witness. They were swaying about, but fairly upright. He noticed blood and pushed the accused away from Williams, taking hold qf the latter and saying: ‘‘Good God, man. what have you been at?” The accused said, “My God, I’ve been trying to take the knife off him.” Witness saw nothing of any knife at the time, but there was blood on both men, chiefly Williams. Witness called for help and walked for some distance with Williams, who collapsed. He noticed a wound on the left side of Williams’s neck and let him down on to the floor. He died almost immediately afterwards without speaking. The accused and Williams were the only persons he saw in the kitchen. When he separated them he did not immediately look for the accused. He noticed blood on the latter’s hands and face. Capewell later seemed to be worked up, but was not so bad. Williams seemed to get on well with the men on the place and witness never saw the accused in a bad temper. Capewell told witness that he was very hasty. (Proceeding).