SEARCH FOR THE BODY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2780, 21 April 1911, Page 2

SEARCH FOR THE BODY.

HOW FREEMAN WAS KILLED,

Whakapara, April 20.

This morning Constables Condon and Armstrong, accompanied by two Natives to whom the Native prisoner Kaka is alleged to have made incriminating statements, left for Puhipuhi with a stretcher, conveyance, and bearers for the supposed scene of the tragedy. It is expected that the Natives will beable to locate the exact spot where the body lies.

On arrival of the train from Kawakawa Sergeant Moore took charge of the prisoner Kaka, handcuffed him, and followed the first party on horseback. It is confidently expected that the body will be recovered and brought to Whakapara this afternoon.

The prisoner, a youth about 18, is a stalwarty ne'er-do-well. His victim is described as an inoftensive man of 50.

It is stated that the tragedy occurred on April 5, and that Freeman, who left his whare that day to go gum digging, was followed by Kaka into the bush. Kaka accosted Freeman, who appears to have resented and defended himself with a gum spear. Kaka is supposed to have struck Freeman on the side of the head violently with a stick, felling him, afterwards dealingtwo murderous blows while the man was on the ground. The prisoner Kaka aftenvards spent money freely in the locality and at Kaikohe, where from statements made to other Natives, suspicion was aroused, causing his arrest. The scene ot the tragedy is about five miles from Whakapara. The search operations were conducted under considerable difficulty in dense iorest and undergrowth amid heavy rains. Prisoner appears callous. The victim is supposed to have had ,£53 on him at the time of the tragedy.