MAORI FATALLY SHOT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 February 1937, Page 7

MAORI FATALLY SHOT

DAUGHTER HIT WITH KETTLE SON ARRESTED [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February 22. A tragedy occurred in a four-room-ed whare on the Waiau Pa road, Patumahoe, at eight o’clock last night, when Toko Whakaia, 70, one of the best-known Maoris in the district, was fatally shot in the back, and his elder daughter, Mrs. Ette Toko, 30, was severely injured through being struck on the head with a heavy iron kettle. Her condition this morning had improved. Last night, the police arrested John Toka, 26, son of the dead man, on a charge of murder. He was brought to Auckland at an early hour this morning, after having been in the cells at Pukekohe. Whakaia was shot in the middle of the back, with a single-barrel shotgun. The kettle which injured his daughter was shattered. When the police arrived,, they found hei’ lying on the earth floor of the whare. The Pukekohe police were advised by the proprietor of the Patumahoe Hotel. While on their way to the scene, with a-doctor, ■ they saw three Maoris on the roadside, one of whom was John Toka, who accompanied them back to the whare. Mrs. Toko had regained consciousness. She recognised John Toka and from what she said, and other evidence, the police made the arrest.

The police believe that the shot was fired from outside the building, the charge passing through the thin walls of the whare, and entering Whakaia’s back. He was found lying near the window.

Other members of the family, who had taken refuge with a neighbour, said that there was no warning of the tragedy. A shot was fired, and Whakaia fell. 1 ' Mrs. Toko made a desperate effort to secure possession of the weapon, which fell to the floor. It was picked up by one of the children, and taken to the neighbour’s house. Though badly injured in the head, Mrs. Toko feigned death, in order to avoid further injury. Detectives from Auckland took numerous statements. An inquest was opened near the whare, before Mr. Ci K. Lawrie (Coroner), and was adjourned, after evidence of identification had been -given. Wearing a navy blue serge suit and a black shirt, with his hands clasped in front, of him, John Toka appeared in the police court, to-day, before Mr. McKean, S.M. He was charged that, on February 21, he did murder Toko Whakaia. On the application of the police, accused was remanded for a week.