PAHIATUA MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 3

PAHIATUA MURDER

(BY TELEGRAPH- —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

1N(,) I ; EST P ROC EEI)I NO . PAHIATUA, dune 9,

The inquest on the hotel murder case is proceeding before .Magistrate Free and District Coroner Wilson.

Constable T. Swan said in response to a message he arrived at the Commercial Hotel at 1.40 p.m. last Saturday. and in the ktichen .he saw Hie barman. Win. J. Barrett, lying in a pool of blood.

At the Police Station accused, a Hindu chef, Deva Kala, said: “I’ve bad bad luck to-day. 1 have a wife and two boys in Bombay (India).” Witness asked what religion accused

lie replied: “Hindu.” Accused repeated he had had bad luck at Paliia--111:1 that day. He alleged that the barman came into the kitchen for lunch and said to.the Hindu: “Are you leaving on .Monday;-'” Accused replied: “Yes. I’ve given a wet*’s notice.” The barman called me a “black, woolly bastard.” I bad .the bread knife in | my band and cut Ids bead anil—.” Witness, continuing, said the Hindu talked about Ids wife and two hoys, saying he had come to New Zealand in 1919, went back to Bombay in 1921. returning to New Zealand in 1923. He had been a fortnight at the Club Hotel, and two months at the Commercial.

“ Wns he sober 't ” —" Yes, sober and calm,” Thomas Davidson, kitehenman, said the deceased and himself exchanged greetings shortly before the tragedy on ILirrett’s way to lunch in the kitchen. Later he heard moans and saw Barrett on the floor. lie thought he was in a fit and caught him by the shoulder, but saw a gash. As he was afterwards going into the kitchen he passed the accused Hindu chef. Deva Kala, going out. He heard nothing in the way ot a discussion between the deceased and accused. Subsequently lie said to accused : “ Did you do that to .Hill F ” Kala replied: “I kill him.” The only other thing he said was: “The chickens are in the oven. Tom.” referring to the dinner being prepared for the night. Accused used to cut up bread with a small C hinese chopper.

If. P. Perry, licensee of the hotel, also gave evidence, and W. S. Routledge, day porter, described how, on accused’s statement he found a chopper in a sink. Constance Tester, housemaid, said after hearing the fall she saw the Hindu walking away from Barrett’s body. There was no one else in the kitchen. Other evidence was given by Ruby James and Myra Davidson, waitress and Airs Frances dago, manageress of the hotel. .Mrs .Tago stated when she questioned Kala, the latter said: “T kill him. I kill him.”

Doctor Dawson also stated the accused admitted the act. Witness considered Lhe only person accustomed to the use of an instrument similar to that used, could have committed tile act, with such strength and skill. Constable Burrell said when accused by Airs dago before witness ol the murder, Kaia did not reply. Witness noticed Kala was trembling, hut perfectly sober.

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from a wound willully inflicted by Deva Kala. The accused was then charged with murder, pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court at Palmerston North on August 2nd.