A BUSH CRIME.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 93, 21 April 1911, Page 7

A BUSH CRIME.

MURDER OF A GUMDIGGER. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 20th April. ' A message from Whakapara states that the body of the murdered gumdigger, John Freeman, was recovered in the Puhipuhi Forest to-day by Sergeant Moore. The prisoner, Kake, a stalwart Maori youth of about 18, described as a ne'er-do-well, led the party to the spot. The head was terribly injured. It is stated that the tragedy occurred on sth April, and that Freeman, who left his whare that day to go gumdigging, was followed by 'the Maori into the bush. The Maori accosted Freeman, who appears to have resented and defended himself with a gum-spear. The prisoner is supposed to have struck Freeman on the side of the head violently with a stick, felling him, afterwards dealing two murderous blows while the man Avas on the ground. The prisoner afterwards Epent money freely in the locality, and at Kaikohe, where, from a statement he made to other natives, suspicion was aroused, causing his arrest. WHANGAREI, This Day. Further details of the Puhipuhi murder are now to hand. With Tahi Kaka in close custody, the police travelled into the heart of the bush over precipitous tracks to a deep gully, down which Kaka confessed having thrown the body after murdering Freeman with a stick on the ridge above while the victim was engaged gum-digging. The murder occurred on the sth inst. Kaka showed no concern, and offered to help the police in their gruesome duties. The remains were placed on an improvised stretcher and conveyed to Hikurangi, and thence into Whangarei by train. The prisoner was brought down at the same time. The inquest opens to-day, and will probably be adjourned till Monday pending the presence of important witnesses.