CHARGE OF MURDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1920, Page 4

CHARGE OF MURDER.

AGAINST A MAORI. AUCKLAND, June 1. A charge oi' murder against a young Maori, named Mono Merewini, otherwise Hone Selwyn, from Awanui, was commenced at the Supreme Court this morning, before Mr Justice Chairman. Ho was charged that at Awanui, on February 7th, he murdered a fellow Maori named Mei Hemi Hui, 22 years of age. In opening the case Hon. J. A. Tolo (Crown Prosecutor) stated that Saturday, February 7th, a number of young Maoris were about Awanui Hotel in tho afternoon, some of them belonging to Awanui, and some coming from Kaingaroa. After tho hotel closed at 6 p.m. they remained for a time about tho stable yard of the hotel. Some time after 7 p.m. the prisoner and Mei Hui were Been lighting and were separated. The prisoner was advised to get his horse and go home. He went to get his horse, and Hui walked towards the gate, and the Crown’s ease was that as he rode past Hui, he inflicted a very severe and fatal blow on Hui’s head with some weapon, either a piece of wood, or a stirrup iron. Hui fell unconscious, and after trying to revive him, all the Maoris went away. A most extraordinary feature of the case was that this injured young man seemed to have been left lying in the yard. The fact that was wrapped in mystery was fact that was wrapped in mystery was his removal, for the body was found later, only after three or four days’ search, in a drain a quarter of a mile away from the hotel. The evidence for the Crown had not concluded when the Court adjourned. Prior to the rising of the Court, the Crown Prosecutor said he wished to reduce the charge to one of manslaughter. Judge Chapman concurred.