MURDER CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 3

MURDER CHARGE

HAWERA TRAGEDY. Per Press Association. HAWERA, July 3. The investigation of the death o! Nana Chhiba, a Hindu fruiterer, at Hawera, some time between 11 p.m. on January 31 and February 1, was continued in the Police Court to-day, when Walter John Tinsley, a baker, aged 25, appeared on a charge of murder. The hearing of the murder charge was taken in conjunction with the inquest. Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., was on the bench, with the district coroner, Mr R. S. Sage. Mr P. O’Dea and Mr H. R. Biss appeared for accused, and Mr C. H. Weston (New Plymouth) represents the Crown. Two Maoris gave evidence as to having seen Tinsley in Chlriba’s shop, apparently buying fruit, when they called at about 11 p.m. on January 31. One saw Tinsley later in the street. On the identification parade both recognised Tinsley as the man they saw ip the shop. Constable F. Healey said that on Sunday, February 1, at 6.45 p.m,, he went to Chhiba’s shop. Both front and back doors were secured, and his suspicions were not aroused. Subsequent to further investigations he returned to the shop at 7.10 o’clock and apparently there was nothing unusual. It was daylight on both occasions. At about 8.15 p.m. witness stood at the corner of a street near the shop, and was approached by Tinsley, who said that lie worked at Cleaver’s bakery, and had just arrived from Masterlon.

Constable Thomas Donovan said that lie last saw Chhiba alive at 10.30 p.m. on January 31. Witness was on duty until five o’clock the following morning, and although he saw a light.burnning during the night he considered that was nothing unusual. On the following evening witness paid a second ivsit to the shop at 9.15 o’clock, when both doors were still locked. He returned again, and found the back door unlocked ; he walked in and found deceased lying on Iris back on the floor, with two mats over his face and shoulders.

To Mr O’Dea witness said it was evident that someone went out of the shop between 10.15 and 11 p.m. Constable Frank Lemm said he noticed no signs of a struggle or that the premises had been entered forcibly. Stanley Tysoe. employed at Cleaver’s bakery,' said he remembered Tinsley’s arriving to take up a position a fortnight before the. Hindu’s death. After that event Tinsley told him the police had found a blood-stained coat in his room. He explained that the stains were from a liver given him at the. Masterton freezing works. Tinsley also said lie had purchased oranges for a picnic on the night of January 31 at Chhiba’s.

Jack Cleaver, master baker, said he had no recollection of stating to the police that Tinsley was keen to leave liis employ because he had a position to go to in Johnsonville. To Mr O’Dea witness said that Tinsley was not a man capable of murder, neither did he give grounds for the least suspicion that he was a guilty man. He was a good tradesman and a conscientious worker.