POLICE PREVENT A PRESSMAN FROM TAKING PHOTOGRAPH

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 December 1950, Page 6

POLICE PREVENT A PRESSMAN FROM TAKING PHOTOGRAPH

NELSON, Last Night (PA).- When Otto, the recaptured murderer, arrived under police escort at tne Maruia hostel, the only Press representativeon the scene was Mr A. Hast well, a reporter of the Kelson “Evening Mail.”

Soon after 5 p.m. he saw a car draw up and heard a policeman call to other members of the force who were stanading about; "Have you got the handcuffs?”

There was a general scatter among the spectators, police and hostel staff. The car was driven to the rear of the hostel near a hut. Several policemen had drawn their pistols and Otto and the young woman stepped off the car. Both looked bedraggled after their ex. perience outdoors for two days in the most unpleasant conditions. The reporter got into position to take a photograph, when a policeman called out: "Don’t be a fool! Drop that camera!’’

Someone else called: “You mustn’t take a photo.’’ and before the reporter I was able to take a picture a constable, who was armed with, a pistol, knocked the camera from the reporters hands cn to the ground. While this commotion was taking place, Otto and the woman had been escorted to the hut. The reporter missed an opportunity of taking what would have been an excellent news picture. Five or six constables stood at the ready, with lheir pistols out, when Otto and the woman alighted.

Inspector Kane, of Greymouth, who arrived on the scene soon after the capture, look charge ot tne arrange ments. The woman wa s taken to the hostel, where she was searched with the assistance of the Misses .Morris, who run the hostel.

Inspector Kane stated, in a telephone interview this evening, than both Otto and the woman were being taken to Christchurch. In respect ot the incident of the reporter and th? camera, he said he had not been there at the time, but had he been there he would not have granted permission for anyone to take a photograph The inspector expressed appreciation of th? observation and report by Messrs Kilkenny and O'Neill, the deerstalkers who saw the young woman meet the man on the edge of the bush on Wednesday. He thanked the police for their work under very trying conditions. He referred tc the manner in which the proprietors of the hostel had organised the accommodation required.