MAORI TRAGEDY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12257, 22 February 1937, Page 3

MAORI TRAGEDY

OLD MAN SHOT DAUGHTER SEVERELY INJURED YOUNG MAX DETAINED Auckland, Feb. 22 One of the best-known Maoris in the Patumahoe district, Mr Toko Whakaia, aged about 70, was fatally shot andT his elder daughter, Mrs Ete Toko, aged about 30, was severely injured at their four-room-ed whare on the Waiau Pa Road about eight o'clock last night. Friends of the family living about two miles away on the Mauku Road were startled an hour later by the sudden arrival on horseback of a son. of the deceased, John Toko, aged about 25, who announced that a tragedy had occurred at his home. John Toko was later arrested at the whare and was lodged in the cells at Pukekohe. Woman Feigns Death Mr Whakaia was shot in the chest at point-blanK range with a singlebarrelled shotgun and his daughter, Mrs Ete Toko, was - struck on the head with a massive iron kettle, which was shattered. She was found by the police lying on the earth floor of the whare beside her dead father and feigning death herself to prevent any further onslaught. The remaining members of the family, who fled from the whare after, the shooting and sought refuge in the neighbouring farmhouse of Mrs E. A. McAlplne, some 200 yards away, .fold a tragic story. It was stated that there was no warning of the tragedy. The shot was fired across the tiny living room of the whare and Mr Whakaia fell dead near a window. Struggle to Get Weapon Mrs Toko made a desperate effort to wrest the weapon from the assailant and was successful in wrenching it from his grip. The gun fell to the floor and was picked up by one of the children, who took it as he ran to Mrs McAlpine’s home. Mrs Toko was then battered on the head with a large iron kettle and fell to the floor beside her father. Although she was barely conscious she realised the possibility of a further attempt and lay still. The arrest of John Toko was made at the whare and the accused offeredno resistance. He was taken to Pukekohe and lodged in the cells. Detectives, on Scene

Two motor-cars were used to convey a large party of detectives under Chief-Detective S. G. Hall from Auckland. Statements were taken from a large number of Maoris. An inquest was opened in the yard near the whare before Mr C. K. Lawrie, district coroner. The inquiry w r as adjourned after 'evidence of identification had been gdven. The police inquiries were being continued at an early hour this morning.