MURDER CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1921, Page 4

MURDER CHARGE.

MYSTERY OF MISSING MAN. A MAORI ARRESTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. Hakaraia Te Kahu, a companion of-' Patrick Richard Elliott when the latter went on a shooting expedition from which he did not return, was arrested to-day. He was brought to Rotorua this afternoon and charged before Mr. Kenrick, S.M.. with murdering Elliott on or about March 27. No evidence was offered and accused was remanded for eight days on the application of Detective Sweeney. Hakaraia is a sturdy Maori of middle height, his countenance bearing an expression of boldness and determination. The mysterious disappearance of Elliott, aged about 35 years, a platelayer employed on the Taupo-Totara Timber Company’s railway, from Ongaroto last Sunday week, has been tha subject of investigation by the police. Ongaroto is a small milling township about seven miles from Aiiamuri. Elliott lived in a whare near the station. A young Maori, Hakaraia Te Kahu, a returned soldier and a platelayer employed by the same company, occupied an adjoining whare. On Sunday both men went shooting along the banks of the Waikato River. They called at u> farm uid borrowed a sporting dog, Elliott, it is stated, promising to return for tea.

During the afternoon several shots were heard in -the vicinity of the river. Elliott did not call in for tea as promised, ai»d as he was uot seen by Tuesday morning the neighbours became anxious and a search was instituted, but no trace of the missing man has been reported.