ATTEMPTED MURDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 10

ATTEMPTED MURDER

MAORI CHARGED AT HAMILTON SHOOTING OF NEPHEW From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. A Maori named Kone Pairama, aged 45, charged with attempted murder, appeared before Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court today. Prisoner, who lives at Paearuhe, near Te Kuiti, wounded his nephew, Timi Ahurangi, with a shot from a rifle, which, the Crown alleges, Pairama fired deliberately. As a result or the Injury Ahurangi was seriously ill in the Waikato Hospital for some time. Mr. H. T. Gillies appeared for the Crown and Mr. E. M. Mac-kersey was representing accused. Mr. Gillies said Ahurangi was commonly known as Jimmy Davidson. Some differences arose between Ahurangi and prisoner, and prior to the occurrence, on January 27, Ahurangi, with two other natives, called at Pairama’s place for the loan of a dog. Pairama produced a gun and pointed it at Ahurangi, who endeavoured to misdirect the rifle by seizing the barrel, but the gun discharged and Ahurangi was badly wounded. The jury had to decide whether the gun was accidentally or intentionally fired. Counsel said that when waited upon by a police officer later, Pairama said, “Hello. Sergeant. Is it murder? I shot him because I had a. row with him a few days ago. If I had not shot him-he would have shot me.” Dr. C. W. Isaac gave evidence of the examination of Ahurangi at Te Kuiti I-lospital. He found him suffering from a lacerated and contused wound in the left thigh. Dr. S. A. Graham, of the Waikato Hospital staff, said that at one stage Ahurangi’s life was in great danger. After an operation, however, he made a rapid recovery. Ahurangi, in the box, said that before the shooting he lived with Pairama. Trouble arose over Pairama riding a horse which witness regarded as too weak. Witness called him a foul name and told him he would “kick liis head off.” His Honour: That was your little joke?—Yes. On the day before the shooting lie found his tobacco had been stolen. He taxed Pairama with the theft and recovered the tobacco from him. Witness swore at him and Pairama said; “Look out for the law. I’ll shoot your brains out.” Witness replied, “Shoot them out.” Witness then described the circumstances of the shooting. Cross-examined, witness said Pairama and he had frequent quarrels. Once wdtness knocked down Pairama because the latter knocked his own sister down. He also burst Pairama’s nose on another occasion. Plis Honour: Why?—Oh, I was just arguing the point. (Proceeding)