MAORI ON TRIAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19994, 20 July 1939, Page 7

MAORI ON TRIAL

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE WOMAN MOTORIST'S DEATH OKAIHAU SENSATION INJURIES TO SON (Por Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day The final scene in the sensational incident at Okaihau, North Auckland, on the afternoon of June 16, when Mrs. Annie Evelyn Marsh, was fatally injured in an unusual type of motor collision, opened in the Supreme Court to-day. A Maori labourer, William Pera Paki, aged 26 years, was charged before Mr. Justice Fair and a. jury that he attempted to murder his son, aged four, and that he committed manslaughter of Mrs. Marsh. Minor counts against the accused included charges of reckless driving and causing actual bodily harm to the boy. Paki pleaded not guilty and was defended by Mr. W. Noble. The Crown prosecutor, Mr. V. R. Meredith lengthily outlined the evidence to be called to show that Paki, who was separated from his wife, called to see he r at the boardinghouse where sllie worked on the afternoon of June 16 and had words with .her. He was seen to leave with his young son and drive off furiously in another man’s motor Car. “At Terrific Pace” It would be shown that Paki drove at a terrific pace back and forth several times between the townships' of Okaihau and Iloreke. Eventually, the car struck a stationary car which Mrs. Marsh had been driving and had brought to a standstill. Mrs. Marsh late r dying from injuries received in the collision.

The car driven by Paki was stopped 300 yards away and Paki was seen swinging the boy up and down, at the same time holding him by the ankles causing the impression that the child’s head was being hit on the road. This was seen by people on a nearby golf course. Then < the boy was ’ thrown down and Paki made off. He was later seen with a gash in his throat and was attended to. Meanwhile, a sister of Mrs. Paki had received a telephone call and a voice, which she recognised as Paki’s, said: ‘'l've done it at last.” When asked what, he renlied; “I have gone mad.” Asked if he had hurt the boy, Bill said he did not know. Mr. Meredith said it would be shown that after Paki left the car after the collision, the boy was found unconscious on the floor of the car so critically injured that he did not recover consciousness for five or six davs after the collision. A razor was recovered from Paki. Counsel said Paki had nleaded guiltv to the charge of attempted suicide. The hearing is proceeding.