Woman Assaulted; Man Found Hanged

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 2

Woman Assaulted; Man Found Hanged

(Special) THAMES, This Day. A young Maori woman was violently assaulted at Waihihi beach on the Firth of Thames yesterday.

Later the body of 'John Henry, a Maori labourer, aged 32, of Buckland, was found hanging from a tree about 200 yards from where the woman was found unconscious.

The woman is Moi Hikuroa, aged about 23. of Buckland. She is also known as Maud Andrew. She was admitted to Thames Hospital with head and face injuries, including a fractured jawbone. Her condition is serious.

Moi Hikuroa and Henry, who worked at a market garden at Buckland, were staying with Mr. Kahu Andrews at Kaiaua.

HEARD THUDS, MOANS They left yesterday to visit people at Waihihi and later returned to empty some fishing nets. They then went back to Waihihi. After 1 a.m. one of the party heard some heavy thuds followed by the sound of a woman moaning.

He found Hikuroa lying in a clump of blackberries. As he approached a man ran away.

The police were informed and when they arrived a search was made for Henry. Soon after daylight his body was found hanging from a tree.