SHOCKING OUTRAGE AT AWAHURI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2998, 13 February 1926, Page 3

SHOCKING OUTRAGE AT AWAHURI.

HOUSE SET ON FIRE.

INMATES ASSAULTED.

ONE VICTIM IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

A shocking outrage was committed at Awahuri in the early hours of Thursday morning, a murderous assault being made on two native women and a native settler, in addition to a homestead being set on fire and completely destroyed. The persons assaulted were Mr. and Mrs Richard Drumlnond and their married step-daughter, while the attacks are alleged to have been committed by the husband of the last-named, Ernest Taniwah Sutherland, a member of the Air Force in the Great War and believed to be the only Maori member of that body.

Mrs Sutherland was severly wounded by a knife thrust in the the shoulder or, possibly, an axe blow, and lost a considerable quantity of blood, while Mrs Drummond sustained severe facial wounds, as well as being burned about the face. Both were removed to the Palmerston North Hospital. Mi’s Sutherland is in a serious condition. Mrs Drummond was not considered in any immediate danger.

The assault was the outcome of domestic differences. Mrs Sutherland had resolved to ask the Feilding court for a separation order against her husband. That application was to have been adjudicated on Thursday, and, with the object of having the proceedings cancelled, Sutherland, it is stated, called upon his wife at the residence of her father and mother at about eight o’clock on Wednesday evening, but his request was refused and he withdrew. leaving the house occupied by his wife, her four -children and Mr. and Mrs Drummond.

A glare outside his window at about midnight caused Mr Drummond to awaken, and, on investigating, he found that a number of kerosene impregnated sacks had been placed under the house, a twostoreyed structure, and were well alight. He quickly aroused the others of the household, and, with the gale that was raging at the time, realised that the little chance of: escaping destruction. However, he endeavoured to pull out some of the sacks, and, while he was doing so, Sutherland, it is alleged, appeared on the scene and struck his father-in-law over the head with a garden hoe. A struggle ensued and Drummond managed to secure the hoe, but Sutherland got away. Clothed only in a, shirt, the first-named then went to find the other occupants of the house, but in the meantime Sutherland had sought out his wife and allegedly assaulted her with an axe or knife before the father-in-law could get on the scene. Catching up with Sutherland, Drummond was again assaulted, this time with a mattock. The son-in-law then made off.

Drummond, who was practically unhurt, then looked for his wife, whom he found severely injured about the face and somewhat burned. Apparently, while Drummond was endeavouring to pull the burning sacks from under the building, Sutherland entered the residence and attacked his mother-in-law.

The building was reduced in a short time to a smouldering mass of ruins, with but two chimney stacks left standing.

Residents of the neighbourhood were roused by the glare and steps were taken'to look after the two women. Mr. J. E. Barltrop, of Feilding, was motoring home from Kongotea, and, on being told of the happenings, immediately proceeded for a doctor and the police. About 2.15 a.in. Dr. Phillips and Constables McCall and Elstone arrived on the scene and rendered every possible assistance. The injured women were conveyed to the Palmerston North institution. The Police in the meantime had made a thorough search of the neighbourhood, but could tind no trace of Sutherland. On their' return to Feilding, all stations were advised and special instructions were forwarded to Katana’s camp, whither it was thought the wanted man might make.

He is described as being about sft. lOin. in height and, when last seen, was wearing a blue suit, with grey cap and a returned soldier’s badge on the lapel of his coat.

A warrant for his arrest was issued, the charge being attempted murder of his wife, Rangi Sutherland, by stabbing her with some instrument.

Sutherland, who was at one time well-known in athletic circles, being a cyclist of considerable ability, was, in November last, brought before the Feilding Court on a charge of assault on an Awahuri resident. His age is set down as 31 years. Sutherland will be remembered as

a competitor at the Foxton motor cycle sports in October last. Mrs Sutherland was a pupil teacher at the Foxton school some years ago.

Yesterday the police pursued their investigations in the endeavour to locate Sutherland, Enquiries on Thursday satisfied the police that Sutherland was seen in the vicinity of the Rangitikei bridge at Bulls, and although the neighbourhood was searched, .including a visit to the Parewanui pa, he was not found.

Investigations at Ratana’s settlement did not produce any result and yesterday the police visited the Maori settlements at Tokcrangi and Onepuhi, but so far there is no sign of Sutherland.

The hospital authorities reported early this morning that Mrs Drummond showed'a slight improvement but there was no change in the condition of Mi’s Sutherland.