THE GREYMOUTH TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13649, 1 December 1917, Page 5

THE GREYMOUTH TRAGEDY

:EGGERS ON TRIAL. '(By Telegraph—Press Association). GREYMOUTH, Friday. The hearing of the charge of murder against William Frederick Eggers, alias McMahon, in connection with the Run-,; anga tragedy, commenced to-day before Mr Hutchison, S.M. Considerable interest is displayed in the case. The mine manager, Mr James, one .of the occupants of the car, gaveeviidence as to the obstruction on the road. A man rushed out, calling " Hands up!" James' left hand was grazed but he did not Itear any shot. Almost immediately he heard three shots"and Coulthard and Hall swooned and groaned. Witness took the two men in the distance to be confederates and made in the direction of the camp. He saw a nickel revolver in the right hand of the masked man. Subsequent-* ly on the car that was bailed up reaching the hospital, witness found empty ■cartridge .shells and bullets. Prisoner questioned witness at length, stating that it was impossible for the empty cartridge shells and bullets found to fall in the car if fired from an automatic pistol. Witness •maintained that it was a nickel revolver but did not say it was automatic. a Prisoner repeated that an automatic A pistol would not eject the cartridges, H, Prisoner put several other questions; relating to James' evidence as to the firing of the shot, endeavouring to show that it was impossible for witness, after running a distance of four to six chains, to see the three shots fired at Hall. The witness stated that the masked man Toll owed him tliroiudi the cutting. and later he saw the masked man's actions, fljhich he internretod as firing three sh'-.ts at Hall and he also heard the r n ' nrts. 'MfEYMOFTH. Pr+vrday. The murder chirge against Eirgers is likely to extend to Tuesday. Four*" witnesses were examined yesterd- • and a further 27 are to be heard. Tt is doubtful ii the paymaster. Hall, will be able to give evidence. Yesterday he had a bullet extracted from hi* arm but is still in a critical condition, the lower portion of his body being paralysed. It is understood that the X-rays nt the hospital are not sufficiently powerful to definitely locate the other huMets in his body. His depositions. which were token at the hospital somo days "go, will probably be put in.