WAIHOU CRIME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 168, 17 June 1936, Page 2

WAIHOU CRIME

POLICE IN VEST I GAT 10 MS. HELP FROM MAORIS. Per Press Association. WHANG Alt El, June IG. An interesting development in the investigation of the murder of Air E. S. Nelson, of Waihou Valley, is that the police have enlisted the raid of the Hokianga Maori Council in prosecuting their inquiry. A special committee of local members of the council has been set up and is conducting an inquiry into Air Nelson’s death. Air F. Heperi, who is also chairman of the Hokianga Alaori Council, is presiding over the inquiry, which is beinc held at the residence of his father, Air J. Heperi, one of the leaders of the Alormon Church in New Zealand, whose house is some three or four miles north of Air Nelson’s property on the main road.

It is stated by Air J. Heperi that, last night the police asked the council to conduct the inquiry. The council has special powers conferred upon it under an Act of Parliament and is at liberty to question witnesses. All well-known Natives in the district and ell Maoris who it is thought can supply information and who have already been questioned by the police are being further interrogated in their own language, the evidence being taken down by Air F. Heperi. Tt is expected that the council’s proceedings will conclude this evening, when the information obtained will be handed to the police. , Investigations regarding the murder now have extended as far as Tnheke, while the Maori settlement at Rangiahua continues to be the centre of police activity. The Natives, who have long led a placid and undisturbed ine, are feeling a little uneasiness at being brought into the maelstrom of a man hunt, and some have even vacated their premises to take up temporary alvodes where tlieir numbers are greater. Alany who have been called upon to make statements and further statements have never faced a typewriter before and are inclined to let their sense ot the dramatic paint pictures of imagination. There have been instances ot fresh matter being inlroduced in the second interrogations, contradictions and interpolations leading the police to waste valuable time in pursuing scents which prove to be false. Yesterday stock was mustered on Air Nelson’s property for the purpose of valuation.