FOR TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 8

FOR TRIAL.

ALLEGED MURDER. EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. CHARGE AGAINST MANUEL. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") KATAIA, this clay. The case in which Eiri Manuel is charged with the murder of Hati Wiri Hokaman Rapihana concluded before Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., to-day. Accused was committed for trial. The inquest into the death of Rapihana, presided over by the coroner, Mr. L. A. Mclntosh, was adjourned sine die. Detective-Sergeant Robertson said that after making investigations at the house of deceased accused said he was willing to go to Kaitaia with the police to make further inquiries. Witness asked accused what solicitor he wanted, and Manuel said, "Mr. Kelly." The evidence of witness corroborated that of Constable Thornell regarding the taking and interpretation of a statement from accused. In addition, witness said that no fingerprints of any value for identification purposes were found. Teacher's Report. Cross-examined by Mr. Trimmer, wit-' ness said that accused's teacher did not give him a report of high ability. Accused had put on weight since he was arrested. The last witness, Maunga Manuel, brother of accused, said he last saw accused at the Kaitaia lock-up, where he had a, conversation with him, which, he admitted to Mr. Trimmer, he later related to Detective-Sergeant Robertson On this the Crown's case relied. Accused had nothing to say and reserved his defence. The magistrate committed Manuel for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court to be held at Auckland. Continuing his evidence yesterday, Constable Howell said he asked accused ' when he got Jesse Robson's gun, and accused replied that he took it from Oti Robson's house about three weeks ago. Mr. Trimmer objected to the conversation being given. In a previous case, he said, there were similar questions and the Crown Solicitor and the police had not pressed for their admission. * The magistrate said the objection would be , noted and evidence of the conversation not further allowed. Witness said he took a further statement from accused, Who was warned, and accused was supplied with an interpreter to translate for him. That evening he was charged with murder in the presence of his solicitor. Witness said he had made inquiriesabout two men alleged to have walked the Pukepoto Road early that morning, one wearing white trousers, but could find no trace of such men. Mr. Trimmer cross-examined witness about accused's schooling and found that accused had left school at the age of 1-t years without passfng the third, standard. Admissibility of Statement. Questioned by Mr. Trimmer, witness said he had heard of the case of the King versus Gardner. He had .been told by the inspector that in that case a statement was' not admitted in evidence. He realised' how important for him it was to have the statement in the present case admitted. Constable E. Buckley said he saw a double-barrelled shotgun lying near the shack in which the accused slept. The gun had the appearance of recent use and a discharged cartridge was in the right barrel. : At this stage, at the request of Mr. Meredith, the magistrate went into chambers on the question of certain evidence. Later he announced that, notwithstanding Mr. Meredith's objection, the Court declined to hear evidence of a conversation between Detective-Sergeant Robertson and the accused, as it was covered by a statement.