THE GUMFIELDS TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 283, 22 April 1911, Page 5

THE GUMFIELDS TRAGEDY

THE FINDING OF THE BODY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Friday. With Tahi Kaka in close custody, the police travelled into the heart of the bush over precipitous tracks to a deep gully down which Kaka confessed having thrown the body after murdering Freeman with a stick on the ridge above while the victim was engaged in gum-digging. The murder occurred on the sth inst. The remains were in such a decomposed state that the head haa fallen from the trunk, the skull having been frightfully battered. Kaka showed callous unconcern and actually offered to help the police in their gruesome duties. The remains were placed on an improvised stretcher and conveyed to Hikurangi, thence into Whangarefby train. The prisoner was brought down at the same time. He was apparently totally unconcerned. The inquest opens to-day and will probably be adjourned until Monday pending the presence oi important witnesses. Whangarei, Last Night. Kaka was formally charged with murder and remanded. Medical evidence at the Inquest showed that the bones in the back ef the head had been pulverised, one arm had dropped off from decay, and there was not a particle of flesh on the skull. Death must have been instantaneous. The inquest was adjourned till Monday.