and heading towards Tokirima. The following has been put together by Rosemary Corbet from extensive newspaper reports.
William Anderson's movements from the time of the murder till he was arrested have been included because of the valuable historical references to places and people.
William Anderson worked for Lofts for about four months and left of his own accord about a week before the shooting. He was paid his wages (about fifty pounds) by George Loft. There had been no quarrel.
He was a returned soldier with a shrapnel wound to his head and was inclined to be moody at times.
On Thursday 14 th October the Lofts were sitting in the kitchen having tea. The group consisted of James Loft, Farm Manager; his wife Margaret and their four children; Herbert Hedley Loft, Farmer of Ohura, George Morris and engineer from Frankton; Frank Telfer, a nineteen year old cousin who worked for George Loft; and Winifred Heffernan the maid.
The window was suddenly opened and they were all astonished to see William Anderson who refused their offer to go inside for a meal because he said the Police were after him and he was not going to fall into any trap. He did however accept food for the road, a coat, other odds and ends and cups of tea. After a lengthy and puzzling conversation he stated that he had a rifle and was intent on shooting two of the Lofts James and George but with George absent, he'd settle for one. He'd heard that Jim had been spreading stories to the Police. When the .303 rifle was raised and the order given to stand back all but Herbert Loft and Frank Telfer scurried from the room. As Jim left he heard a shot, turned and saw Frank Telfer fall.
At the inquest it was stated that Telfer grabbed at the rifle and was fatally shot through the chest.
Jim Loft escaped through a window and as he climbed a fence at the back of the property a shot was fired at him but missed. He headed for the Ohura river, which he swam, and after a rough passage through the bush he finally reached the Aukopea Post Office at 12.30 where he gave the alarm.
Though the terrified family didn't realize it, William Anderson then disappeared into the night.
The following morning (15 th October) Anderson called at the home of Tom Grant where he was given a cooked breakfast. He told Tom he'd come from Shultz' on Kururau road and was going to work at Opatu. Obviously news of the shooting hadn't reached Grants as Anderson was given four rounds of .303 ammunition as he left.
At 1p.m. a settler reported seeing Anderson, carrying a rifle, crossing Blaremberg's Bridge (Maraekowhai)
and heading towards Tokirima.
Near Jim Roach's whare an effort was made to surround him but he slipped into the bush and crossed the saddle on to Dwyer's property. 
This two stand woolshed was built from materials originally used in the home of Jim Roche. It was situated on the flat's below the Maraekowhai Manager's house. Photo 1981
Later he was spotted in the bush near Bashford's whare. The search party surrounded the bush, but the fugitive made back towards the crime scene where Andy Fleming found him in his woolshed the following morning, (Saturday 16th October 1920). 
After speaking briefly, Fleming went to use Loft's phone to get assistance. Anderson went into Fleming's whare, helped himself to food and had disappeared by the time the search party of four policemen and seven locals arrived.
That evening further policemen arrived and a watch was set on Roto Road Bridge, near Lofts; Blaremberg's Bridge at Maraekowhai; and Porter's Bridge near Turners hopefully to reassure the settlers and provide a sense of security.
However a message was received from Mr Old which indicated that Anderson was at the Hindoo's camp on Robert Craig's property at the junction of Aukopea and Kururau roads.
At seven o'clock that evening Anderson asked the Hindoo's for tea and while he was eating, his rifle was put in a corner of the tent. He didn't realize that the Hindoo's knew he was a wanted man and after a few minutes of questioning they confiscated the rifle. Though he begged to have it back, they refused, saying that they would all go to Mr Craig's and if HE said to return the rifle, they would.
Instead they went to Oliver's whare which was nearer. Oliver, not wanting to become involved, disappeared and after an altercation the Hindoo's departed in a hurry and went for sanctuary to the whare of a Mr C. Ross, where they stayed the night.
Meanwhile the police had made their way to the "Hindoo's" camp, found no one there, so continued on to Craig's, where they learnt that Anderson had fled, but was now unarmed. 
About eleven o'clock that evening Anderson again went to Andy Flemming's whare (where John Hanley was staying overnight) and gave himself up saying I'm quite harmless, I have no gun, I'm cold and wet and hungry.
He sat before the fire after a meal and said I'm as sorry as any of you over the death of Telfer, HE PULLED THE RIFLE IN TO HIM AND ON TO MY TRIGGER FINGER. I meant to kill Jim Loft.
Early Sunday morning 17 th October, Anderson was arrested, handcuffed, held till dawn, then roped to the horse's saddle for the long trek to Taumarunui.
.
The Inquest began at Loft Brothers farm before the Coroner Mr A.S.Laird, J.P., moving then to the Taumarunui Courthouse where evidence was given by James E. Loft. Anderson remained calm when charged with the murder of Frank Telfer and the attempted murder of James Loft.
The trial was held in Taumarunui on 4 th November in the Magistrate's Court before Mr E.W. Burton S.M.
Twenty-four witnesses gave evidence after which the accused was committed to the Supreme Court in Hamilton.
The case was heard on 8 th December 1920 before Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice. After the evidence o five witnesses, including two Medical Officers who both believed that Anderson was delusional, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY, ON ACCOUNT OF INSANITY.' William Anderson was committed to the hospital at Mount Eden Goal to await instructions from the Minister of Justice.
Frank Telfer was buried in Ohura Cemetery - his grave can be seen today - 
Typed by Lyn Neeson - Oct 2005