MURDER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1923, Page 1

MURDER TRIAL

NATIVE CHARGED

[ iiv TEi,r.~l:.U'H —I'KK I’IIESS ASSOCIATION’] YdFIJ.TNOTOX, •H.nuaiy 21. In the course cl' evidence -it the afternoon proceedings cl the trial, cl John Ti.iii. a • used cl the murder « f Knight. a former employee of Knight recognised the coat that Tulii "as wearing in (•• li t a» ; rt-viouslv Feb ntied to the decea-ed. Other at tides of attire were also identified. Witness admitted having ha<l a dispute with Knight as to aajl«*>. h :t declared that t!:ev parted good friends. Knight hd declared that lie had 110 money, and could not possibly pay him. It was at his suggestion that Tuhi succeeded to Ids position on the lartn. \ neighbitnr related how lie had questioned Tull i after Knight disappearance. I'he native had replied : ‘‘Oh Knight, lie never come hack." Pressed for further information, lie said that lie knew someone who had seen Knight go away on a big boat. He was quite unconcerned as to his employer’s absence. Witness pad cant dined him admit removing hnilding materials and tools from the farm, and told him the police wore watching. He also suggested there lmd been a white woman visitor, hut this Tuhi strenuously denied looking him straight in the face. Witness continued :—“I said to Tuhi Von know where he is! He said Tie did not.” Other witnesses gave evidence as to the identification of certain articles, also as to the habits of deceased The case " ill he cent'need to-mor-row. and 23 witnesses, including a number of natives, have to be examined . Tuhi preserved a calm demeanour, and appeared to take little real interest in the proceedings.