THE NORTHERN MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 314, 30 May 1911, Page 5

THE NORTHERN MURDER.

TRIAL OF TAHI KAKA. By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The trial was begun at the Supreme Court to : day of a young Maori named Tahi Knka, charged with the murder of John Freeman, an aged gumdigger, at Puhipuhi, in the Whangarei district, on or about April 5. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. Tole) traversed the details that have already received publicity. Freeman went out to his work with his kit of tools on the moruing of April 5, and was followed by a dog belonging te the whare. The dog returned in four days, but Freeman was never seen alive again. He had been missing some weeks when suspicion fell on Tahi Kaka, who was spending money freely, though previously he was short of cash. Later on Kaka admitted that he had followed Freeman up on the morning of April 8, and finding out that he had money in his pocket, demanded some. A scuffle ensued, and the accused hit the old gumdigger over the head with a stick and caused his death. The evidence had not concluded when the court adjourned till to-morrow.