MAORI FAMILY TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 6

MAORI FAMILY TRAGEDY

Three Boys Found Dead

With Axe Wounds

WOMAN BADLY HURT Dominion Special Service. WANGANUI, May 12.

Returning to her home in Airport Road, I’utiki Maori settlement, near Wanganui, late last night, Mrs, W. Emia found that her three nephews had been murdered with an axe while asleep. Her screams as she rushed from the house calling for help attracted the attention of neighbours, and another Maori woman who had also been staying at the house was subsequently discovered lying on a bed with serious head injuries. She was unconscious and a bloodstained axe was nearby. The victims were:— Bobo Te Weri, aged six years. Rangi Te Weri, aged seven years.

Rukuwai Te Weri, aged 11 years. Taken to hospital in a serious condition with a fractured skull was Mrs. Alice Te Patu, aged 48, of Taranaki. The tragedy occurred in a dwelling of six rooms occupied by Mr. W. Emia, building supervisor, Native Department, Wanganui, and located about 100 yards from the road. Mr. Emia brought his three nephews from Hamilton about two months ago when their father, Mr. Peter Weri, died. Their mother has been a patient in Hamilton Publie Hospital for the past six months. Mrs. Te Patu, a niece of Mr. Emin’s, had been staying at the house for the past week. When Dr. C. R. Davies and the police arrived before midnight in response to telephone calls by neighbours the. three boys were dead. Robo and Rangi were lying on a double bed in a middle room, and in a back room Rukuwai was found lying on a three-quarter bed. The three children had been brained with blows by an axe. They appeared to have been murdered in their sleep. The bed clothes were in order and no disorder was apparent in the house, but the walls and floors of the rooms where the children were discovered were spattered with blood. The nearest dwelling is about 50 yards away. Mrs. Alice Te Patu, left in charge of the house when Mrs. Emia went out shortly after 7 p.m., was found lying on a bed in a sunporch. She was in an unconscious condition with blood flowing from a deep gush on the top of her head. Nearby was a 41b. axe. She was taken to the Wanganui Hospital shortly after midnight. Her condition today was reported to be serious. Mrs. Te Patu, who has been ill for some time, had been receiving medical attention during her stay in Wanganui. Police investigations were carried out late last night by Detective-Sergeants J. K. Robertson and J. J. Murray and Constable C. Dudley. The district coroner, Mr. S. M. Dixon, visited the house this morning and opened an inquest in the kitchen. Giving evidence of identification, Mr. Emia said he left home at about 0.40 p.m. yesterday. His wife went out at about 7 p.m., leaving the three boys in bed. The inquest was adjourned sine die. The three boys had been pupils at fet. Columba School, Frankton Junction, before coming to Wanganui. Rukuwai,had been attending the Marist Brothers School in Wanganui and Bobo and Rangi were to have resumed their schooling there after the holidays.