MURDER AT PAHIATUA

Hokitika Guardian, 6 June 1927, Page 2

MURDER AT PAHIATUA

BY HINDU COOK,

| BY TELEGRAM —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

PAHIATUA, June 4. A sensation was caused shortly after one o’clock this afternoon hy the news of a tragedy at the Commercial Hotel, the victim being Air W. Barrett, the barman at the hotel. He was a middle-aged man. It is stated that Barrett left the bar to go to lunch in the kitchen, and the chief chef, a Hindu named Deva Kala, is alleged to have struck Barrett on the hack of the neck with a meat chopper, the unfortunate man being killed, it is stated, practically outright. No one witnessed the actual occurrence. Deva Kala was taken into custody. The kitchemnan, Air J. Davidson, who was working in the pantry, heard groans and then went into the kitchen. Just its he did so the Hindu came out. Davidson found Barrett dead on the floor. The deceased was a single man. He had I een employed for about 2J years at the hotel. The Hindu had been there only for about two months. The Hindu, it is stated, said to TSavidson : “I kill him!” Davidson said : “What did you do that for?” The Hindu is said to have replied: “I don’t know!”

PAHIATUA, June 4th

Barrett received a fearful gash, the victim’s head being almost severed. The Hindu was cutting bread at the time, a few feet Indued deceased, who was having his dinner, when Devn Kala used the cleaver on the back of liis neck without any warning. The Hindu then it is related ran up to his bedroom for a change of clothing, when lie was hailed up by two persons. Die alarm meanwhile having been given.

No apparent reason is admitted - tor the crime. The Hindu was calm aud collected throughout. He was seen with his arms folded when being taken from the hotel to the police station.

Arangements were in train for a big football dinner this evening. Just previously, the accused when spoken to on the subject, intimated that the preparations were well forward for the dinner.

Recently the Hindu requested and obtained an increase in wages with the previous licensee and it is alleged also that since the new licensee lately took over lie had expressed some dissatisfaction and had wanted an increase in wages. He intended leaving here on Afondnv.

The accused was brought before Afr H. D. Grocott. .T.P.. late in the afternoon, and charged with wilful murder. He was formally remanded to appear at Wellington and was taken to Palmerston North this evening in charge of Inspector Cameron and Detective Russell.

The late Afr P. Barrett was very popular. He was AS years of age. He is said to have a sister in Australia and his mother is in England. The body was removed to the morgue.

The accused appeared quite calm when charged with murder. PALMERSTON N., June 6. I)eva Ivala, under arrest for the Pahiatua murder, was taken to "ViVllintgon tliis morning. Tlie inquest and hearing of the charge will probably be taken at Pahiatua on Thursday next.