THE ZAMBUKA MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1921, Page 5

THE ZAMBUKA MURDER.

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. MANY WITNESSES HEARD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Opotiki, Last Night. Out of a total of thirty-nine witnesses in the Zambukka murder case twenty-one had been heard up to the noon adjournment to-day. Thirty natives were examined this morning. Several stated tliat they had paid Paul Zambukka sums of money. Charlotte Koopu, housekeeper for Saxby Bros., stated Butene Topi called between four and five on the evening of November 4, and purchased an axe | handle and a packet of cigarettes on November 10. Peeti Topi was at the stai tion and overheard Charlotte take a telephone message from Sergt. Ferguson to Constable Blakely, stating that No. 6 shot had been found in the deceased man’s head. Peeti said his shot was No. 5 and left in a hurry, leaving some of the groceries he purchased behind. Victoria Milner said she was engaged to Rutene Topi, and they were to have been married in November. Tuwahiawa Topi, brother of accused, identified two guns as Rutene’s and another as Sam Topi’s. Witness remembered Rutene coming home saying his father had cleaned the guns. Witness saw the guns on the morning of the fourth, and also in the evening, and thought they were : n the same place.