Coroner Believes Maori Was Murdered

Northern Advocate, 2 June 1939, Page 4

Coroner Believes Maori Was Murdered

f Special to “Northern Advocate ”l PUKEKOHE, This Day.

In returning a verdict at the conclusion yesterday of the inquest into the death of George Kahi, a Puke"kohe Maori, single, aged 24, the coroner, Mr G. K. Lawrie, J.P., said: “It seems there is no doubt that the man was murdered.” Deceased was found lying in a semiconscious condition of the side of a byroad at To Kauwhata about 11 p.m. on January 28, suffering from injuries to the head, from which he died later. The coroner’s verdict was that death took place at the Waikato hospital on February 10, the cause being laceration of the brain, resulting from injuries inflicted by some person or persons. Mr Lawrie commented that the

police might b£ able to find who was responsible. Detective-Sergeant P. J. Nalder said the case presented difficulties. Very extensive inquiries had been made by the police among the Maoris in the district. A lot of them had made very contradictory statements, and then corrected them after Kahi’s death.

Mr Nalder said he interviewed George Kahi after his admission to hospital. The injured man did not give any information as to what had occurred, or how he had received the injuries. He was apparently struck with a board, about 4£ feet long, taken that night from a hut a few yards from where he was found injured. Medical evidence was given by Dr. A. G. Waddell, of Hamilton, who attended deceased while he w.as in the hospital. The coroner then returned his verdict.