COLD-BLOODED MURDER

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14492, 15 October 1920, Page 5

COLD-BLOODED MURDER

MAN SHOT AT ROTO. “ONE WILL HAVE TO GO OVER.” MURDERER STILL AT LARGE. The Hamilton police have received advice that a man named Telfer was shot by William Anderson at Roto, near Ohura, last night, about 7.15. The particulars show that two brothers named Herbert and James Loft, a man named Telfer, and another named Maurice were having tea at Loft’s house. Anderson, who was a former employee of the Lofts, came to the window and was invited in to tea, but declined. One of the Lofts was going to hand Anderson something to cat through the window, when Anderson, who was carrying a .303 rifle, fired into the room, saying: “One will have to go over.” It is believed that he fired at one of the Lofts, but the shot hit Telfer, who later died from the wound. As far as is known Anderson is still at large. He is a labourer, 38 years of age. Detective-Sergeant Cooney, of the Hamilton police, left for the scene of the tragedy to-day.

FURTHER DETAILS. VICTIM SHOT IN THE CHEST. EXPIRES IN FIVE MINUTES. By Telegraph—Press Association. TAUMARUNUI, Friday. Details of the shooting show that a returned soldier named W. Anderson went to the house of Loft brothers, at Tokerima, and found Jim Loft, a married man, and his nephew, Fred. Teller, at home. The man asked for tea and bread, which Loft got. He asked for an overcoat, and then said, “Are you all at home?” Loft replied, “Yes.” and Anderson said, "1 will get the two of you,” meaning the Loft brothers. He then pointed a rifle at Jim Loft and fired, but Fred. Telfed, aged IS, interposed, receiving the charge in his chest. He died in five minutes. The oilier brother was absent at the other farm at Ohura.

Jim Loft rushed through the bedroom, and escaped through the window. He swam the Ohura river, and walked barefooted through the bush for sixteen miles to the Aukopae boat landing on the Wanganui river, where he is now in bed in a state ofcollapse. The Taumarunui police went out this morning with the coroner.

Anderson had been dismissed by the Loft Bros., and it is alleged he had a grudge against the. Anderson, who is still at large, used to live in Taumarunui, and is wellknown as a Scotch piper. ON THE MURDERER’S TRAIL. WELL SUPPLIED WITH CARTRIDGES EARLY CAPTURE ANTICIPATED. By Telegraph—Press Association TAUMARUNUI, This afternoon. Anderson called at a settler’s this morning when the settler was away and loaded himself with cartridges. Anderson was also seen at one o’clock to-day crossing a bridge at Blaramberg’s, going in the direction of Tokeriml. The police and settlers have gone to meet him and hope to effect his capture.