A MAORI'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 13

A MAORI'S DEATH

BLOWS WITH A SPADE

ASSAILANT. CHARGED WITH MURDER

(By Telegraph—Press -;Association)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The trial of Puhipi Riwhi on a charge of murder began today, before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury. Riwhi, aged 33, also known as Busby Leaf, is charged with murdering-his cousin, Henare Riwhi, whose European name -was Henry Leaf, at a village twenty miles from Rawene, North Auckland.

The Crown Prosecutor said there had been a considerable amount of trouble between the two and their families over the placing of stock in a paddock. At midday on September1 24 the accused went to his brother-in-law, Walter Iraia, and'attacked him with his fists, but stumbled, and was struck by Iraia with a bridle. Iraia ran, and the accused- called out,> threatening to kill him if he caught him. The accused then went to the paddock and drove the cattle off the property. Other Natives; including Henry Leaf, arrived, and the latter went to open a gate with; the intention of putting the cattle back. He saw the accused approaching with a> spade. Henry Leaf went towards him, and was going to "get Tight into" the accused. However, the accused struck Henry on the head with the spade. :It was not thought at the time that the injury would be fatal, even'though there was a fracture of the skull and an arm was broken, but - after two days gas gangrene infection, which was usually fatal, was detected' in the arm. It was amputated, but the poison spread and the man died. It was gangrene that really caused death.

The prosecutor said it seemed clear that two savage blows were struck, one on the'head :and the other on the arm,' and that the. accused was reckless whether -they caused death or not. .It was open for the jury, however, to bring in a verdict of manslaughter; yet it seemed difficult to see how sudden provocation could be pleaded. Admittedly, there had been ill feeling, but the provocation appeared to have come from the accused. Evidence is being heard.