ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 265, 3 August 1921, Page 4

ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

RETRIAL OF TE KAHU. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, August 2. The retrial of Hakaraia To Kahu on a charge of murdering Richard Elliot at Ongaroto on Easter Sunday, commenced at the Supreme Court this morning, before Sir. Justice Stringer. The Court was crowded. Prisoner was calm in appearance and did not betoken severe mental strain. During his incarceration he lias put on a good deal of weight. At the first trial, on June 24, the jury disagreed. Dr. Bertram gave evidence respecting his examination of the body, and said that either of the two wounds in the neck would be sufficient to cause death. Questioned bv counsel for tho accused, witness said that blood tests were generally regarded as reliable, though not absolutely infallible. . Other evidence was given similar to that at the previous hearing, in regard to the movements of deceased and accused, and to hearing shots fired. Martha Cook added that some time in March, before the murder, Te Kahu called at Cox’s store and asked for goods on credit, promising to pay for them when he got his next pay. In reply to His Honour, witness said that he had not paid yet.