THE ONGOROTO CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1921, Page 4

THE ONGOROTO CASE.

DEATH OF PATRICK ELLIOTT

ROTORUA, April 28,

The inquest into the death of Patrick Richard Elliott of Ongoroto, and the Magisterial inquiry, in which Hakaraia Te Kahn is charged with murdering Elliott, were resumed yesterday, before Mr Ken rick, S.M., and.Mr M’Dowell, Acting-Coroner, sitting together. There are thirty-five witnesses, and the inquiry is expected to finish on Friday. Mr H. T. Gillies (Hamilton) is appearing for the Crown, and Mr Davys (Rotorua) for the accused, l 'Eva Jones stated that Hakaraia and Elliott called at her house at Ongoroto on Easter Sunday, and got a dog, saying that they were going shooting. ’They did not return. She saw the dog at 7.30 next morning.

Martha Cook deposed to hearing two shots fired in quick succession at four o’clock on Sunday afternoon, the sound coming from the river.

Paora Te Hiko, railway surfaceman, stated that he called at Elliott’s house at six o’clock on Monday morning, but no one was there. On Tuesday morning he went to Hakaraia, who said that ho left Elliott at the latter’s house on Monday morning.

Edward Francis M’Caffery deposed that Hakaraia, on the Tuesday, said to him that hd left Elliott at his house after dark on Sunday night. Hakaraia said he fired two shots at a shag. Accused said on Wednesday that he. had looked up the river for Elliott without success. Dr Bertram stated that with Dr Price, in the presence of Dr Hnv, representing accused, lie made a post mortem examination of Elliott’s body and found a slight wound on the head, caused after death. There was a gunshot wound, about three and a half inches long, at the hack of the nook. It appeared to be a double wound, sucli as would be caused by two barrels of a shotgun. The result would be instant death. It was impossible for a man .to inflict such a wound on himself. There was no sign of singeing. He found several pellets in the wound. One part of the wound was more swollen than the other, indicating either that one barrel was ehokehore or tlml both shots were fired from the same bore at different distances.

Dr Price eorrobrated Dr Bertram's evidence.

William Henry Hazard, gun expert, Auckland, stated that in April 2 Constable Wright handed him a doublebarrelled gun. One was barrel was cylinder and the other ehokehore. He also received various cartridges fitting the gun, and a quantity of pellets of No 3 shot, and empty cartridge cases. He considered the latter had been fired from the gun, and thought the shots which struck deceased were fired together. as lie would drop at the first shot and there'would be no time to fire another.

The police produced photographs of j deceased’s body, and plans of the locality of the tragedy. A Hamilton farm hand named Campbell stated that he found footprints and bloodstains on Easier Tuesday, leadin', towards tbe banks of the Waikato River. Next day he found more bloodstains. Constable Wright, Paora Te lliko and Hakaraia accompanied him. Hakaraia said that he returned on Sunday from further clown the river, and led them over the route they had taken. When they camo to where witness first saw the bloodstains, Hakaraia passed right over the locality for about a chain, when Constable Wright asked him to stop. Hakaraia then said that was part of the route. Constable Wright took charge and led them back to the bloodstains. He replied “No.” Constable Wright searched the bank in a boat. Witness asked Hakaraia in Maori if he knew what the bloodstains were. Hakaraia replied “No.” Half an hour later Hakaraia said to witness: “If it had not been for the blood stains the police would not have known that there had begn trouble in the neighbourhood.” Two or three days later witness asked Hakaraia if ho knew why Elliott was missing. Hakaria replied that ho did not know. Witness, thinking that tlio Maori might he arrested and charged with murder, advised him to tell all he knew of Elliott’s disappearance. Hakaraia said that he would not like to, because there were policemen presnt who know Maori. Witness asked Hakaraia if he had received any money from Elliott. Hakaraia replied “No.” John Munro Clark, a clerk employed hv the T.T.T. Company, gave the numbers of notes paid to Elliott. William M’lndoe, surfaceman, stated that lie saw Elliott put his pay envelope in his trousers pocket.

Two witnesses described the recovery of Elliott’s body, one stating that tbe hip pocket was turned inside out. Clyde Granville Norman stated that on Easter Monday he changed a £lO note for Hakaraia, who had other notes.

Georgo Robert Seymour deposed that Hakaraia had no money on Good Friday. Ho tried to borrow some from him. He saw Hakaraia lose £5 on Easter Monday at ‘two-up,” and pay a £5 note.

Several other witnesses stated that Hakaraia had considerable money on Easter Monday.

Fredrick Kerry Caterer, relieving postmaster, deposed that lie was stationed at Mokai. A boy named Beca, son of a storekeeper to whom Hakaraia

had paid two £5 notes, paid into the office £l4O, including two £5 notes healing the numbers of those sent to Elliott by Clark in payment of wages on Good Friday.

Tlig case was adjourned until next day when accused was committed for trial.