CONDEMNED MAORI.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9670, 17 April 1923, Page 5

CONDEMNED MAORI.

MINISTER. EXPLAINS POSITION OF JOHN TUHI.

WELLINGTON, April 16. Sir Francis Bell. Minister of Justice, stated to-day that there were two petitions, suggesting deficient mentality of the young Maori, John Tuhi, convicted 'and sentenced to death for the murder of _ Herbert Henry Knight at Johnsonville. The petitions were carefully considered, and the Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals and the doctor in charge of Porirua asylum had an interview with the prisoner, and spent a considerable time with him, and then reported to the Government that there was no ground for suggesting that Tuhi was not responsible for his acts. Both the petitions and the report were laid before the Governor-General, as well as before Cabinet, and were considered by both. With regard to the statement that prisoner made at the trial, that someone else was the murderer, Tulii had been twice interviewed by detectives under instructions from the Department of Justice, and informed that if lie would give information the police would make every investigation, hut he declined to 'make any further statement or give any name.-—P.A.