FIRST NEWS RECEIVED

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4608, 11 October 1934, Page 5

FIRST NEWS RECEIVED

The first news that anything untow'ard was afloat was received when Major Westmacott, who lives about eight miles away, arid the Davenport's nearest neighbour on that side, informed the police that he was perturbed at the actions of a Maori. The man had threatened to commit suicide. This was frustrated by the removal of the bolt from his rifle, but the Maori ran away into the bush in the direction of the Davenport-homestead. Search parties looking for him had heard a shot. The police, following this advice rang up the Davenport homestead. This was about 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Maori's Story of Attack on Edward. Mr. Davenport, senior, answered the call. He said that his son Edward had left the house about 5 p.m. in order to investigate a slip in the road to the run about 3* miles away. At about 6 p.m. he told the police a Maori called. This native said that Edward Davenport had been attacked by white men and he had come to obtain help. Albert Davenport and this Maori set off on horse back for this purpose, leaving the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, alone in the house. Both the Maori and Albert Davenport were armed with rifles taken from the Davenport homestead. Neither had returned, nor had Albert Davenport. The police, learning of this, took a very serious view of the position. They immediately communicated wfith Mr. E. J. Davenport, a nephew of the old people, knowing that it would be useless to,. try to do anything without someone who knew the wild countryside—Mr. E. J. Davenport had until recently occupied the farm which adjoins his uncle's property. No Reply to Telephoning. The police telephoned to the homestead shortly afterwards—no reply was received. About 10 p.m. Constables Muir, Fry (of Otorohanga) and Rose left by car for a thirty-two mile trip out to the homestead. About midnight their progress along the rough bush track leading to the homestead from the Otorohanga side was stopped by the slip on which Edward Davenport had been working.

THE FINDING OF EDWARD DAVENPORT.

They noticed a pool of blood by the roadside and a hat. Then they heard groans from down the precipitous bank on the edge of the road. Clambering down they found Edward Davenport. He was very severely wounded, his head having been cut deeply in two places. With considerable difficulty they brought him to the road. Constables Muir and Fry then brought the injured man back to Te Kuiti, arriving at about 4 p.m. When he was taken to the hospital their fears that his condition was very critical were confirmed—the head injuries very very extensive. An operation was performed immediately. Mr. E. J. Davenport and Constable Rose continued on for the remaining 31 miles to the homestead.