CASE OF MURDER?

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 8

CASE OF MURDER?

DEATH OF MAORI BODY FOUND ON ROADSIDE OPINION OF CORONER (Special to Times) PUKEKOHE, Thursday A verdict that death took place at the Waikato Hospital on February 10, the cause being laceration of the brain resulting from injuries inflicted by some person or persons, was returned by the coroner. Mr C. K. Lawrie, J.P. at the conclusion of the inquest into the death of George Kahi, a Pukekohc Maori, single, aged 24. Kahi was found lying unconscious on the side of a by-road at Te Kauwhata. at 11 p.m. on January 28 and iie died in hospital a fortnight later. The coroner added that it seemed there was no doubt that the man had been murdered. Detective-Sergeant P. J. Nalder said the case presented difficulties. Very extensive inquiries had been made by the police among the Maoris in the district. A lot of them had made very contradictory statements and then corrected them after Kahi’s death. Went to Party Henry Kahi, a brother of deceased, said that on January 28 he and deceased left Pukekohe late in the afternoon for Te Kauwhata. in witness’ car, taking their mother and witness’ wife and children. En route, deceased and witness entered the Pukekohe Hotel. “When we arrived at Te Kauwhata a party was in progress at Amo Tupuhi’s place,” continued witness. “It was about 7.30 p.m. Deceased accompanied me into Tupuhi’s place. I sat at the table and deceased sat at another part of the table. I did not see him again that night.” Witness said he left the party at about 10 p.m., returning to his car. His wife was in the car and they drove to Te Kauwhata. In turning to leave the party witness drove the car up the entrance to Watson’s garage—a foot or two from where deceased was later found—and there was no one there then. He added that he thought deceased would go home with another brother, who was also at the party. He visited the Waikato Hospital the next morning and saw George Kahi, who was conscious. Deceased did not know how he had been injured. Walk Up the Road Charlie Tai said in evidence: “I saw George Kahi at Tmo Tupuhi’s place that night. I had consumed quite a quantity of drink during the day. I have a recollection of walking up the road with George Kahi that night. I have no idea of the time. I left, him up there and did not see him again until after he was injured. I have no idea of the movements of George Kahi from the time I left him until he was found injured. The only idea I have of his intentions is that he told me ne was going to try to get something to drink.” Amo Tupuhi said he went with Charlie Tai to Watson’s to see about getting some meat. “After we arrived at Watson’s garage,” he added, “Charlie Tai told me that no one was at home at Watson’s place. I waited on the ground near the garage and went to sleep. It was about 6.30 p.m. then. Found on Road “When 1 woke up it was dyk and I had no idea of the time,” said witness. “I walked down the’road to go to mv home. I met George Kahi coming up to road. He recognised me and said that his mother was in the car. I went on down the road and George Kahi continued on up toward the garage. I did not see him again that night.” William Alexander Watson, taxidriver, described how he found George Kahi lying by the side of the garage entrance as he turned the car in at jabout 11 p.m. I Detective-Sergeant Nalder said he j interviewed George Kahi after his adi mission to hospital. The injured man did not give any information as to what had occurred or how he had received the injuries. He was apparently struck with a board, about 4£ft. long, taken that night from the h.ut of Ned Haranui, a few yards from where lie was found injured.