MURDER ALLEGED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 139, 29 May 1935, Page 7

MURDER ALLEGED

Maori Charged at Wanganui NO PLEA ENTERED Fatal Quarrel with Another Native (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI, May 29. The trial of Rangiruru Ngapaki for the alleged murder of Sam Hauroa near Patea commenced at the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. Moss, with him Mr. Campbell, represented accused, while Mr. N. R. Bain conducted the case for the Crown.

When asked how he pleaded accused remained silent, and the Judge directed that under Section 419, Sub-Section 2 of the Crimes Act the Registrar be requested to enter a plea of not guilty.

Constable Kelly, of Patea, gave evidence of being called to the scene of the tragedy and of seeing the body of Sam Hauroa lying face downwards. Witness found a hardwood stick alongside the body. There were wounds on the dead man’s head. Inside the house witness found accused. Witness asked him what had happened to Sam Hauroa, and he replied, “I killed him.” Accused said 'tint deceased had come in swearing and cursing, and he (accused) had told him to get out as it was his house. Accused followed deceased out of the house, and he thought Sam was going to be rough, as he was walking towards him. Accused said, “I hit him several more blows.” Accused was arrested and brought to Patea. When charged with murder accused said, “It is Sam's fault.” In reply to a question, witness said that in 1926 there was a ease against accused for assault on a woman at Waitara.

Dr. Simmons corroborated the previous witnesses’ evidence regarding the finding of the body. Accused was quite collected and rational. Death was due tz> concussion followed by extensixe haemmorhage. A portion of the skull of deceased (produced) showed fractures. Witness said that he was called ten years ago to examine accused regarding his mental condition. He (witness) had known him for 20 years. Accused always appeared very reserved.

Tueroa Hauora, son of the deceased, said that ho lived at the farm with his father and accused. Accused wae normal when ho (witness) left to go to the cowshed. Witness saw his father returning from Patea. On the day of the tragedy he heard his father and accused arguing. He heard accused say, “Get off the place, Sam, or else I will kill you.” On going to the house accused said, “I killed Sam to get him out of the road.” For the defence Mr Moss said that the issue resolved itself to the question, “Was accused insane at the time of the killing?” If it were proved so, he should be acquitted, but found insane. Up till 1917 accused was bright and a good athlete, but following a holiday a change took place in accused’s brain and he became lazy mid reserved. Mr Moss said that in support of the defence mental experts would be called. Tai Ngapaki, brother of the accused, said that his brother was good to him and wae recognised as a good shearer on their farm up till 1916. From then a change came over him and he would do nothing. In reply to a question, witness said that one of his sisters attempted to drown herself on one occasion.