HORRIBLE MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1921, Page 2

HORRIBLE MURDER

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT. [liv TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] Oi'OTIKI. Dec. 15. Uutine and l’eehi Topi appeared at the Magistrate’s Court before Mr Kenrick S.M., charged with the murder of Paul Zambukka at Motu River on or about sth. November. Mr Nolan (Crown Prosecutor) represented the Police and Mr Beaufort appeared for tlu> accused. The Court was crowded, principally with natives. The prisoners who are buth good looking young Maoris entered the Court quietly. Their countenances were serious, but display'd little sign of nervousness as they took their seats and during the proceedings. Mr Nolan outlined the case for the prosecution and detailed the movements of the deceased, prior to the date of liis death. He said evidence would he brought to show that the movements of all the natives at Maraenui Pa would be accounted for satisfactorily, except those of the brothers Topi.

The first witness was Robert Leslie Kaye, a civil engineer who produced a plan of the locality.

F 11. Armitage Government bacteriologist, certified that the bloodstains found on the match-box and pair of trousers were human.

Sidney Tisdale, a gunmaker, gave lengthy evidence regarding the examination of double and single barrelled breach loading guns, also an old muzzle loader, and the pellets handed him by the police, which were identical with the Remington No 5 shot taken from a cartridge handed him by the police.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. OPOTIKI, Dec. 15. Welle Parnone (Mrs Brown), remem

tiered November 4th. Late : n the after noon she hoard a. horse galloping, and went out and l saw Poeti Topi galloping past, carrying ■’ -'un. On the day the Topis were arrested witness saw Rutene coming when she was walking along the road. She was frightened and got over a fence. Rutene called to her her, and asked her if it was true that she had been saying that she had seen Peeti with a gun. She was so frightened that she said it was all lies. Rutene then said: "Stick to that I” at’ | that time she had not heard it said [ that Rutene had committed the crime. I A native lad, Tanatui Ngahere, was 1 with Welti, and corroborated the evidence regarding Rutene Topi. Wharemoana Hiramato gave evidence that he had met and talked with Peeti on the evening of the fourth. Peeti said he. had gone from Motu river 1 where he was getting wood to bill!! a frame roller. Peeti was carrying a gun. Naiti Haenga gave evidence that' she had seen Peeti Topi galloping past her house when she was getting tea, on the evening of the fourth, He vas carrying a gun.