WAITOTARA TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1941, Page 7

WAITOTARA TRAGEDY

DEATH OP STOREKEEPER MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER. ACCUSED COOMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI, September 5. The principle witness in the hearing at Wanganui today of a charge of murder against Pipi Katene, a Maori labourer, aged 28, was Detective J. Murray, Wanganui, who with Detective T. W. Allsopp, Hawera, arrested Katene at Patea on August G. Katene was charged with the murder of Arthur Harding Parkinson, storekeeper, Waitotafa, aged 79, on the night of August 4, and was committed by Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., to the next session of the Supreme Court at Wanganui for trial. Katene, for whom Mr S. G. Cathro, Hawera, is appearing, was not asked to plead, and reserved his defence. Mr N. R. Bain is the Crown Prosecutor. The preliminary hearing occupied a full day in the Magistrate’s Court. Detective Murray in evidence said that when questioned about a sum of money in his possession, Katene put his face in his hands and said: “I did it—poor old Parkie.” Detective Murray also produced a lengthy statement made by accused. Katene, a well-built Maori, with clear features, sat in the dock alongside a prison warder with his head bowed throughout the hearing. About sft. 9in. in height, he wore sports clothing. The police called 17 witnesses.

On August 6, said. Detective Murray, witness and Detective Allsopp went to Patea and interviewed Katene in the police station there. He said he had not done any work for about four months. He had been drawing Social Security unemployed benefit to the extent of £2 5s a week. When asked what money he had he produced 5s 6d in silver, and in reply to Detective Allsopp, felt in his pockets and said he had no more money, adding “Search me." Detective Allsopp fell inside one of Katene’s pockets and found two cheques. Witness also felt in Katene’s pockets and found in his possession one £5 note, nine single £1 notes, and six 10s notes. The cheques, notes and silver were placed on the table and Katene was asked where he had got the money. He then, put his face in his hands and said “I did it — poor old Parkie.” ’ A'c this stage Mr Cathro objected to a statement made by Katene to Detective Murray being admitted as evidence, and asked the Magistrate to suppress publication of the statement. Counsel also held that the statement was not admissible as evidence. Accused had been asked questions and had made certain admissions, after which, according to Detective Murray’s evidence, he had been cautioned about making a statement. On these grounds, counsel submitted, the statement could not be admitted.

Mr Bain said it was well known that the police would be hampered if they were unable to ask questions. He added that once a detective had arrested a man he was not pemitted to ask any questions without'warning him. The Magistrate said he had no power to suppress publication of the statement. Counsel’s objections would be noted.