BRUTAL MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1932, Page 6

BRUTAL MURDER

OLD AGE PENSIONER. SLAIN,

QUARTICR-CASTE MAORI rt'iSvoi'f { "'V

(By Telegrdph—Per Press Association)

WHANGAREI, May 30,

An old age pensioner, George, Crewe,, aged 74, a single man, who had resided in a hut: at Rutangata, twelve milos from Whangarei for some years, was found dead in bed by a neighbour, Al.r Duncan McDiarmid, yesterday morning. When the blahhets - were pulled down he found that the old rrjan" had. been foully slain by blows on/ the top and side of the head, evidently, with the hack of an axe, which, with hairs and blood sticking to it, was found alongside the hut. 'There was also a deep wound above t lie eye. “1 would not have killed a bullock like thatsaid a beholder when the body ws'M brought into the Whangarei morgue. .

The police. this morning arrested a quarter-caste Maori boy named Heta Fred Gardner, wl)o was brought before the Magistrate, Mr Morris. He was charged rwith murder and remanded to Juneffth. The inquest on deceased was adjourned after evidence of identification’ Iliad been taken.

Creweßfwas born at Howick, and served his apprenticeship in coach painting] jwitli Cousins and Atkins, Auckland;, About forty years ago became to Kamo with his parents and for many years lived by himself in a small But on the Riiatangata Road. Of fine character, he was very independent and refused to enter the Old Men’s Horne, although not robust, hut this /winter lie told his friends that, a year ago. he was- persuaded to accept; the old age pension. He rival;' v«.iiy frugally mid .. took pride in shying a little- from his allowance.