MANUNUI TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 25699, 24 January 1946, Page 4

MANUNUI TRAGEDY

THE CASE AGAINST KAHU POLICE EVIDENCE ' (P.A.) TAUMARUNUI, Jan. 24. Hearing of the charges olf murder of his wife and of Massey Amundsen at Manunui against Ivan Manford Kahu was resumed to-day before justices. Police-sergeant William Tumily, of Wanganui, gave evidence that he was on relieving duty at Taumarunui ! on December 'B, and he went to the scene of the tragedy at 5 o'clock. He spoke to Kahu in the presence of Constable Edwards, of Manunui. Accused asked for a doctor and a lawyer. Witness noticed splashes of blood on accused's trousers, shirt, and overcoat. At accused's house witness found a bloodstained safety razor. At Walsh's house witness found blood stains on the door and the step, and at Amundsen's a pool olf blood on the verandah. On Depember 9 witness saw accused's wife and Massey Amundsen in hospital. Mrs Kahu was conscious, but very weak. She 'had a conversation With Detective-sergeant Hay in a very low voice, and witness was unable to hear, what she said. Constable David Hodge stated that he saw the accused at Manunui after the tragedy. Accused was pry _ depressed and remarked: "I was driven to this. I have had a terrible life. I might get 20 years for this." Accused asked for police protection, saying he was afraid that someone might shoot him from the back of the court.