MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1927, Page 4

MURDER CHARGE

THE PAHIATUA SENSATION. I PAHIATUA, Juno 0. i Further details of the death of AY. Barrett, a barman, show that the alleged assault occurred very suddenly. The licensee of the Commercial Hotel, Mr H. P. Perry, and .Mrs Frances Jago, who is managing in place of her sister (Mrs Perry), were in the office, the latter cashing a cheque, when a traitress rushed out to say that Barrett had taken a fit. Mr Perry went through to the kitchen, returning to say'that the barman had, as lie believed, committed suicide. Mrs Jago hastened into the kitchen with the intention of giving what aid she could. She stooped down over the figure on the floor. Then Davidson, the pantryman, remarked to her: “He has . been cut from the hack.” Airs Jago replied: "‘Then lie didn’t do it himself. Someone must have done it.”

She returned to the office, rang for the police and while she was thus engaged, Dcva Kala appeared. He leaned on the ledge of the office door. He was dressed for the street in a navy lilno suit and was without his whiteuniform. Mrs Jago became suspicious. Perry, thinking he might he unwell saitl to him; “Gel some whisky. Pull yourself together.” The Hindu walked to the front entrance and leaned against the door-

Alrs Jago followed him and hrougut him hack into the hall. She said to Kala: “Where were you when this happened?” ■‘l kill him,” was the reply.

“Come here, you must wait,” said Mrs Jago ami directed him towards the dining room. "What do you want me lor?’ asked the Hindu, hut made no objection to following her.

Dr H. T. Dawson arrived, the Hindu, Dcva. Kala. was at the front door as he entered. The Hindu followed him into the dining-room with Airs Jago. ’flie doctor saitl that the blow had fallen a quarter of, an inch above the coat collar, cutting clean through the cervical spine and the spinal cord, practically severing tin head.

Interviewed by a. “Herald reporter. Dr Dawson saitl that lie turned to the Hindu and asked: “TV hat the devil did you do that for?”

•‘You come outside and I’ll tell you all about it,” was the answer, but the doctor told the Pressman he had been too long at the game for that and declined with thanks. “I was not looking lor a knife in the stomach,” he added. The evidence was that Barrett had rose from his chair, swung about, crumpled to the floor and lay huddled on his left shoulder, with his knees drawn up. and Ids lace hall hidden, a pathetically tragic figure of a man whose life had been cut short with grim and appalling suddenness. His sagging head with matted hair lay in a pool of blood, and blood streamed away along the wall. Beneath the table lay the blade of a cleaver knife, annul, eight inches long. It had a wooden handle. The blade was very sharp, but with a jagged edge. Airs Jago said she had gone into the kitchen just bclore noon to see the (•lief about a football dinner to the Dannevirke representatives that night, and he appeared quite normal. On Friday last he had given notice of his intention to leave on Monday. A\ hen questioned, he said that it was not that he was dissatisfied with the wages or conditions, but just that lie wanted to get away.

Afrs Jago saitl he had been about three months at. the hotel. 'I lie Hindu had threatened the previous licensee that he would leave unless his wages were increased, and in order to retain iiis services the wife of the then licensee, All's Biggins, had given him £o a week, which he was still getting. He had not asked for any further increase. She said that she had always found him very polite. The Indian was a superior class. From the time he finished his duties lie would go to his room, and no more would ho seen of him. He appeared to he quite one ol the staff, and she could offer no reason for his murderous act.

AY hen the police won' summoned Kala was trembling slightly, otherwise he was perfectly calm. He was dressed in a navy blue suit, and felt hat. evidently having gone straight to his room after commuting the crime, and changed his clothes. He made no attempt to resist arrest, and was handcuffed and taken away to the police station, where he is alleged to have said in surprisingly good English : “1 will toll you all about it later

The inquest was formally opened, and after evidence of identification had been taken was adjourned till Thursday morning.