MAORI'S LETTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 97, 22 October 1934, Page 9

MAORI'S LETTERS

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HAMILTON, This Day

A pathetic aspect- of the murders at; Bangitoto and Morrinsville was revealed at the inquest this morning ou Hcnaro Hona, the Maori who committed suicide when approached by thtv police yesterday. A number of letters left at the farm of Major Westmacott, of Bangitoto, Hona's former employer, were tendered as evidence. The first note, written on a dirty envelope addressed to tho first person to enter tho room, stated: "Dead. Love to all." It was signed "Douglas Cyclone." He wont on to refer in tho second letter to tho girl of his love affairs, writing a series of garbled phrases ending thus: "My timo ain't long. Don't bother to look for me. You will never find tho mysterious night shadow of the Bangitoto range. Look upon tho pansy in the parlour and think of me. lam taking the death trail to the end. Good-bye."

Another tragic phase was brought to light in a noto addressed to Hona's friends. He referred to "rotten news" spread about him around the countryside and said ho had tried to keep away from trouble, but that troublo seemed to follow him, and now it would cost him his lonesome life, for the deed he had done was wrong.

At the inquest evidence was given by Major Westmacott that Hona disappeared on Tuesday, October 9. A .303 rifle wijhout a bolt also disappeared. In connection with the inquest on Conatablo Heeps, James Spence- Downs, a sharemilkcr at Eushton's farm, where the constable was murdered, traversed tTio details of tlio murder. Ho said that Hona had been given employment by Mr. Eushton, and on Saturday Constable Heeps called at the farm' to examino the Maori. The three went into tho Maori's room, and the Maori, in taking out clothes from a suitcase, pulled out a revolver and shot twice at the constable. It all happened in a flash. Witness rait out to get assistance. Ho thought tho Maori was following him. Both inquests wore adjourned sine die after further evidence of identification had been taken.