ZambuKka Murder.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1922, Page 1

ZambuKka Murder.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. GISBORNE, March 18. The murder trial was resumed, the first witness to-day being Ronald Gordon Sax by, who gave evidence respecting thte movements of accused. He denied he had given a message to anybody that the Natives should clean their guns. Constable Blackley deposed to finding the body, the watch and chain being missing, but the bar of the chain was left in the waistcoat".

PROSECUTION’S EVIDENCE. GISBORNE, March 18. In the Motu River murder case, Mr Tisdall a gunsmith, of Rotorua, in cross-examination, said that he could ,not say to what type of cartridge the No 5 shot found in Zambukka belonged. No 5 shot was not a popular size in N e w Zealand. Detective McLeod said that he had obtained a statement from the accused. Counsel for the accused objected to this going in. He said the statement made therein were replies to a crossexamination through an interpreter. Probably the accused would give lying answers The Judge held that statements were in order Constable Neal deposed that when Peeti, the accused’s brother was arhe (Peeti) said that it wins through the actions of other people that lie was in trouble The accused, Rutene, had not replied to the charge. Wharo Matenga gave evidence that the accused told him in gaol that he shot Zambukka and stole £163 and a watch, and that he had planted the body. The accused told him that hi s brother had turned on him. Witness received no information about the case except from the accused. To counsel for the accused: In his own case, the Judge had not believed him. He admitted that at the age of 18 he wa s gaoled for rape for ten years and was then sent to gaol for two years for indecent assault. Subsequently he got one month for theft, and was now serving three years for assault. The case is still proceeding.