HAWERA TRAGEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 181, 3 July 1931, Page 2

HAWERA TRAGEDY

CHARGE OF MURDER. Per Press Association. lIAWERA, July 3. The evidence of the fifth witness in the murder charge preferred against "\\ alter John Tinslev in respect of the death of th Hindu, 'Nana Cliibba, occupied tho evening session of the court yesterday, when lengthy evidence relating to the wounds susta nod by Cliibba was given by Dr. R. G. B. Sinclair, who first saw tho body shortly after 11 p.m. on February 1, the night it was found. In liiri opinion, life had been extinct from about lb to 18 hours, possibly up to 24 hours. It appeared obvious to him. continued witness, tliat an attack bad been made from both sides of deceased. There was no doubt that the attack was of a most vicious nature. Any one blow would have placed tho Hindu in hospital for a long time. A total of 11 wounds had boon sustained, and his own impression was that the attack was either carried out by a homicidial maniac or a person in a very passionate and vengeful mood.

Replying to Air 11. Weston, for the Crown, witness said that it appeared from the wounds that Cliibba had been struck from at least three directions.

Replying to Mr P. O’Dea, counsel for accused, witness said that six of the wounds had been definitely made with instruments as well as a hummer, and five with an instrument such as a tomahawk. It was probable that more than one person was concerned in tile crime. Botli a hammer and a tomahawk were found in a basin of water. It was not reasonable to suggest tliat a man would wield a separate weapon in either band simultaneously, though such was within the bounds of possibility. On the other hand, it was improbable that a man would use one weapon and drop it to pick up another. When the hearing was resumed this morning, further medical evidence was given by Dr W. M. Thompson, who detailed eleven distinct wounds on the skull. The doctor produced a skull, on which lie marked the injuries in chalk. He said he could not wholly agree that the blows were given at different angles. Several wounds exuded a little blood, and he assumed that one or more blows were inflicted after death. W itness thought & hammer was the only instrument used to inflict the injuries before and after death. When the body was discovered his opinion was that death had occurred 24 hours previously. The reasons lie advanced were that the body was remarkably cold when the conditions were _ most favourable for the retention of heat. There was warm weather, the heater was turned on in the room, and the doors-were closed. There was no ventilation. His first impression was that tiic murder was thy act of a homicidal maniac, but this was dispelled by tile precautions of the assailant to cover up his tracks. Instruments being thrown into a basin cf water indicated that the assailant was <-ane.

' Edgar Willis Wilton, a slaughterman, of Masterton, employed at the \\ aingawa works, said that he saw Tinsley at Musterton in January, when he was alone, looking for work. Tinsley wore a grey stilt and a grey overcoat. Tho Grown Prosecutor: You said in a statement to the police that lie was not wearing an overcoat? Witness: Well, he did have an overcoat. Wo gave him a couple of frvs. which he wrapped and put in a pocket of tho coat.

After reading his statement, witness said he was not sure whether Tinsley was wearing an overcoat on the first or second visit. lie could not remember. Witness was not able to recognise either of tile two coats produced in court. Continuing, witness said that Tinsley stayed at the works two hours on the second visit. In reply to Mr O'Dea, witness said that Tinsley was a decent chap and a good worker. The people of Masterton thought the murder charge against him ridiculous. He could not imagine him committing murder. He had then been living in an hotel for six weeks with detectives.

Cecil Rhodes McCormack, butcher, of Masterton, said that lie went to school with Tinsley, who had been absent, from Masterton for six or seven years. T inslcy visited tho Waingawa works in January, when witness was killing mutton. Tinsley wore a grey suit and a woolly overcoat. Continuing, witness saitl that on Tinslev’s first visit ho gave him two livers, which lie put in one of his pockets unwrapped. Replying to Mr Biss, witness said that his statement to tho police in Masterton was made two months after Tinsleys visit to tho works, lie saw Tinsley two minutes before his arrest on a charge of murder. Tinsley said : “I’m innocent. I’ll be glad when it's over.’’ The next witness, Mrs Genevieve Matilda Pickett, said that the boundary of her property was adjacent to C'hibba's backyard. Un the evening of Sunday, February 1, after returning from the beach she went to C'hibba’s shop at about six o’clock for some tomatoes. She called out several times, but without getting a response. She then went under the canvas covering the entire backyard and found the back door ajar. She called again, but there was no response. She heard the gas jet burning fiercely and saw that the lights were on, so she pushed the door open and saw something on tlie Hocr. She realised that something dreadful had happened. Witness said that she looked closer and saw a clenched hand and a covered human form. "I took my hand off the door and turned to mn away, when the door slammed. Previously I had heard no movement behind the door.” Continuing, witness said that while at the door sho -saw a tomahawk and a hammer in a bowl of clear water. The property occupied hv Chibba belonged to witness. It was her late mother’s estate. Cross-examined by Mr O'Dea. witness said she ran home and told hc-r family, who were incredulous. Ten minutes later she telephoned her solicitor. Chibba was usually called “David.” When she went to "*.e shop she called: “David!” several times. Witness did not think the door was slammed by the wind. What she saw on the floor she first thought might bo a pig connected with some Hindu rite. William Charles Brown, slaughterman, of Masterton, employed at Waingawa, said that when Tinsley was at the works in January he wore a light suit and a felt hat. He could not remember the overcoat. Pi Katene, a native, said that on the night of January 31 he went to C'hibba’s shop with his two brothers, who bought fruit and spoke to Chibba. A pakeha was standing at the end of the counter. Ho remained there until witness left. He wore a serge suit, a collar and, perhaps, a hat. The Crown Prosecutor: In a statement vou said that the man wore a light grey suit and looked as though he had not had a shave for a few days. Which is the

correct statement? The one - nrev ioudy. ing now or the one you made pi Witness: The one to-day. Air Weston: Did the man have an over coat ? t°' M r O'Dea. witness said that TiX dfd -t'ask him’if he was m the Sl David Skipper, a native who accompanied the previous witness on the n ® there, arv 31, said that there was a mari tncre. Neithor moved nor spoke. Witncs. ' uen tly same man on two h and identified him at the P°hce Nation H left a billiard room with, other 11 o’clock and went straigh er<re The man in Chibba’s simp ser^ suit and no overcoat, ihe - woollv witness saw him ho wore a .S£ LJ [ overcoat. Chibba was preparing to clos the shop when witness called the party and went out and drove away in a mo.or car immediately.