AN EASTER TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 7

AN EASTER TRAGEDY

MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER

PATRICK ELLIOTT’S DEATH AT

ONGAROTO

By Telegraph—Presi Association. Hamilton, June 21. In the Supremo Court to-day. Hakaraia Te Kahu was charged with the murder of Patrick Richard Elliott at Ongaroto on March 26. The courthouse was packed. Accused, who apparently was not affected, was represented by Mr. Hampson and Mr. Davys. Mr. Gillies appeared as Crown Prosecutor. Charles Barber Turner,* Goy ernment Surveyor, gave evidence in regard to the locality. Plans were put in showing that the country around was fairly open, with manuka patches., Robert John Issell, detective-sergeant, identified photographs taken by himself of To Kahn's and Elliott’s whores, a panorama of the soeno where the two mon yt-nrrt snp.n mul nnp thnwinff th©

wound on Elliott’s body. Clothing taken from the body was produced, the shirt and oinglet containing Urge gaps through which shot had penetrated. When the body was recovered a number of shot fell from the wound. Constable Smith, a brother-in-law of deceased, said that he was a member of tho search party. The body was recovered from the river. Dr. Herbert Bertrem, who, with Dr. Price conducted a post-mortem examination, said that except for a slight abre-

sion on tho side of the head, whicn might have been caused after death by bumping against a rock, there was no other injury except a gunshot wound on the back of tho neck. It was a double wound, such as would be caused by the discharge of the two barrels of a fowling-piece. There was a large number of shot in the wound. The wound was such as would cause instantaneous death. He did not think it could have been self-inflicted. Tho shots must have been fired at close range. The man was dead, in witness's opinion, before the body was nut in the water. To. Mr. Hampson:'When ho eaid that the wound was not self-inflicted ho

meant not deliberately eelt-innictea. i.r was possible that deceased, when reaching for the gun behind him, accidentally discharged tho weapon and shot himself. Counsel: Would it have been possible for Elliott to have walked into the river after the wound wns inflicted? ,•> Witness: Absolutely not. Replying to His Honour, witness said that the first shot would kill Elliott. There would be a good deal of bleeding from tho wound, and if deceased was carried to the river it was almost certain that the person carrying him would have his clothes blood-stained. Dr. M auT i ce Prieo gave corroborative evidence. Eva Jones, wife of J. Jones, farmer.

of Ongaroto, said that about luiaaay on Easter Sunday To Kahu and Elliott tailed at her house. Both had. guns. 'Elliott asked if he might borrow a dog as he was going down to the river shooting, and might see some ducks. She noticed that Elliott was wearing a light navy blue coat, and believed that Te Kahu was wearing khaki riding pants. Elliott asked her -if she knew anything about pleurisy, as he had a pain under his right shoulder. She told him to paint it with iodine, and said she would give him some if he called on his return. They then went towards the creek, talking a dog. She did not see either of the men again that day, but the dog was at the door early next morning. It was not necessary to pass the houso on the return, as "there was another way round. She heard dogs bark twice outside the dwelling, but did not trouble to go'out to see the cause.

In reply to Mr. Hampson, witness was not prepared to say for certain, what Te Kahu was wearing. Her dogs usually barked when disturbed. Thomas Edward Bentley, contractor, of Ongaroto, said that ho saw Elliott at one o'clock in the afternoon of Easter Sunday crossing a creek in company with a Maori.

Martha Cook, wife of Rawson Cook, employed at Ongaroto, said that she was out walking about four o'clock on Easter Sunday afternoon, when she heard two shots fired in quick succession—practically simultaneously—from the direction of the river. She saw no one about.

Mr. Hampson askod the witness if she did not have visitors that afternoon, and was getting tea |for them at four o’clock.

Witness excitedly protested that she was telling the truth. She said that she knew nothing about any visitors, and would not answer any more questions about people not concerned with the case. His Honour told the witness to answer the questions. Witness (to Mr. Hampson): I have told you exactly what happened. I haven’t made any mistakes. Tha case was adjourned till to-morrow.