BARMAN MURDERED AT PAHIATUA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3648, 7 June 1927, Page 3

BARMAN MURDERED AT PAHIATUA.

HINDU CHEF CHARGED WITH CRIME. Pahiatuaj June 5. Pahiatua presented tin animated scene on Saturday when a big football fixture attracted hundreds of visitors from all parts of the district. Just after 1 o’clock, when the public were making for the Show Grounds, news spreacT like wildfire through the town that William Barrett had been almost decapitated, allegedly by a Hindu cook, Deva Kala. From inquiries made it appears that Barrett went into the kitchen of the hotel for bis lunch as was his practice. There were two waitresses in the room at the time, in addition to the chef. Barrett sat down to his meal at a small table near the wall. The Hindu chef was standing behind him at another table about .10 feet away, cutting tip bread. It was noticed that the chef gave "an invitation to the pantryman, Thomas Davidson, to sit down and have dinner with Barrett, a courtesy never extended to a pantryman before, and which Davidson declined. Davidson lis since reported to hove stated that lie and tlm chef were not very friendly. A few minutes later the waitresses left the kitchen to attend to their duties in the dining-room, leaving the. Hindu and Barrett alone in the kitchen, Davidson being in the pantry a few yards away. Davidson states that he heard no conversation pass between Deva Kala and Barrett, but thinking be beard moans, lie went into lite kitchen as the Hindu was going out. He saw Barrett on the floor in a pool of blood, and already dead. The chef thereupon divested himself of his white uniform and wont to his room. Davidson informed the manageress, Mrs. Jago, n few seconds Inter, and the police were immediately communicated with. Hardly had Mrs. Jago dropped the telephone receiver when Deva Kala appeared in the vicinity of the office clad in a blue suit. “I want to speak to you,” said Mrs. Jago. “What you want me for’?” asked the Hindu. “Why did you commit that awful crime?” asked Mrs Jago, to which Kala is alleged to have replied: “I kill him, I kill him.” At this juncture Constable Burrell appeared, arrested Deva Kala, and charged him with murder. The Hindu, who does not speak, very good English, merely replied, “I don’t know” to the interrogations.of the police constable, but appeared to be quite calm and collected. The prisoner was handcuffed and escorted to the local police station, and half an hour later, on the arrival of Inspector Simpson and Detective Russell from Palmerston North, was handed over to them and conveyed to the Palmerston North police-station. William Barrett, the murdered man, was oi a quiet and unassuming nature, and was 38 years of age. He,had been employed at the hotel for three years, and was very popular in the town. It is understood that he had no relatives in New Zealand, but had a sister in Melbourne, whom he had intended to join in a few months. The Hindu chef had been in the employ of the hotel for about three months, having formerly worked in a Dannevirke hotel. He is about 28 years old, and is believed to be married. He was popular with the staff, and had given notice to leave the hotel on Monday. An inquest Avas held at Pahiatua to-day for the purposes of identification, Deva Kala has been remanded to appear in Pahiatua on Friday. A GRUESOME SIGHT. The spectacle in the kitchen as presented to a Pahiatua Herald representative who visited it half an hour after the fatal tragedy, was a o-niesome one indeed. The murdered man had evidently been leaning forward over his plate when his assailant came up to the left and slightly to the rear and struck a terrific blow on the back of the neck. The evidence were that Barrett half rose from his chair, swung about and crumpled to the floor. He lay huddled on his left shoulder, knees drawn up and face half hidden, a pathetically tragic figure of a man whose life had been cut short with grim and appoling suddenness. The sagging head with its matted hair lay in a pool of blood and the blood streamed away along the wall beneath the table. The blade of the cleaver, which was discovered in the sink, Avas about eight inches long, and had a wooden handle. The blade yas very sharp but with a jagged edge. SUPERIOR INDIAN. IntervicAved, Mrs Jago said she had gone into the kitchen just before noon to see the chef about the football dinner to the Dannevirke representatives that night, and he appeared quite normal. She said she had always found him a very polite Indian of a superior class. From the time he finished his duties he would go to his room and no more would be seen of him. She could offer no reason to account for his murderous act. BURIAL OF THE VICTIM. Pahiatua, Last Night. The Mayor in regalia, and also some of the Councillors, the Fire Brigade, Foresters, Oddfellows, and Druids headed by the Combined Eketahuna and Pahiatua Brass Bands, marched in the procession

yesterday morning amidst a heavy fog to the Presbyterian Church service conducted by the Rev. F. McDonald. So the last rites Avere paid to the late Mr W. Barrett, the victim of the tragedy. It is stated deceased had signified his intention of visiting Australia in a few weeks’ time to sec his sister. The Hindu previous to employment at the Commercial Hotel was for a short time employed in another local hotel. The ghastly affair lias been the principal topic of conversation the last three days.