Compiled from official sources combined with eye-witness accounts, this is a reconstruction of New Zealand's most famous manhunt, in 1941 for Stanley Graham, who had shot seven people on the West Coast of the South Island.
A song, "The Ballad of Stan Graham" written in 1943 by Jim Case, plays under some of the recollections , sung by Eric (McHeckin?) Jack Perkins says its sympathetic lyrics speak to the public feeling in favour of Graham at the time - sympathy which he says was undeserved.
The Graham family farmed at Koiterangi. Stan Graham had a reputation for violence as a witness recalled after an encounter with him and his wife in 1939.
Graham bred pedigree cattle and as he became mentally unwell, became convinced his neighbours were trying to poison or steal them. A man recalls he kept them on his front lawn.
Constable Ted Best went to talk to Graham after complaints of threats by his neighbours. Read eye witness accounts of Graham shooting him, as well as Sergeant William Cooper, and Constables Percy Tulloch and Frederick Jordan. Cooper, Jordan and Tulloch were shot dead; Best suffered grave wounds from which he later died two days later.
Also shot on arriving at the Graham house was education official, George Ridley who died of his wounds a year later.
Graham then fled and the manhunt began. A Home Guardsman recalls how men were marshalled to hunt for him, with orders to shoot on sight if necessary, to wound - not kill Graham. Colin Howat was posted in the Graham house and in an interview recalls that in home guardsmen Maxie Coulson and Greg Hutchison were hit. Coulson died immediately and Hutchison the following day.
Graham was wounded by home guard commander Amuri King but made his escape. A man (possibly Charlie Smith?) recalls checking a hut for Graham and reporting one which appeared to have been occupied.
Henry Growcott's farm near Mt Doughboy was crossed by Graham and he explains one of his cattle was shot and a steak cooked by the fugitive. A local house was burgled for food.
The Army was called in, with more than 200 men now involved in the hunt.
A man recalls Graham's dog was used in an attempt to get it to track him down. The media frenzy around the case is discussed. Sam Godfrey a local farmer caught sight of him near the Koiterangi Hall. His account is read.
A man talks of the fear among the West Coast communities. Even 16 miles away in Hokitika people were afraid to stay in their homes.
On the evening of 20 October, 13 days after the first shots were fired, Graham was sighted by Constable James Quirke, approaching the Growcott farm. Henry Growcott gives his account of how he was sighted and caught by Quirke, Constable Ross and himself after being shot shot by Constable Quirke, whose statement is read.
Henry Growcott gives some more details about Graham's appearance. He does not believe he was about to give himself up as his guns were loaded and cocked.
A man remembers the relief in the district as news of Graham's arrest spread. He died next morning in Westland Hospital. The Graham house was burnt down as Colin Howat recalls.
Sympathy for Graham lead to public attacks on Constable Quirke, who left the police as a result.