DRAMA IN MAORI LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18346, 12 March 1923, Page 8

DRAMA IN MAORI LIFE.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE.

EVIDENCE AGAINST ACCUSED

WEIRD MORNING ENCOUNTER

[BY iswo»Ara.-»w»s ASSOCIATION.] MASTERTON. Saturday. Evidence in the caw against Pakira Haeata, .ho was charged at Masterton before Mr. L. P. Free, S.M., ™*J a ™* attempted to murder James Kennck a half-caste, at Blackrock station near Masterton, on February 4, mealed that a remarkable encounter had taken place between the two men. .wwd on February 4 be met Haeata, who ad mitted during <»»««•£" that he had said he was going to shoot witness. l» reaching home witness went to bed early, intending to get up at 1.30 a.m. and[take stock to the freezing work*. Sleeping .n the house were his daughters, El»abeth and Mary, and Mrs. Haeata who had been living at his place about three months. Witness left t*e house at 2.30 m. When he was about a chain ami alialf away from the stable he heard a voice sing out, "Pull up, Kennck. He looked over and saw accused running by the side of the fence. Haeata got up and sat on the gate. He had a gun with him. Witness sang out, "Is that you, Butler T Haeata replied, "That's me. _ Witness said, "Are you going to do it this time?" and Haeata replied, "Yes. Witness eang out, "All right; give me time. He walked away from the trap, took his coat and hat off, and hung them up. He then walked up to Haeata, who was about 6yds. awav. Haeata was pointing a gun at him. Witness said, "You may ?.s well make a good job of it while you are at it." Haeata took a long aim and let fire. Witness moved a little and got one shot over the eye. He felt the shot go past and hit the splashboard of the cart. Haeata ran at witnesu with his gun presented. Witness ran farther back. His horse was rearing, and when he grasped the horse's reins he got a second shot in the left hip. Witness then ran straight to the house, about 6yds. away from the back of the trap. He got a shot in the right shoulder after this, and made for the house. Three shots had so far been fired at him. Before he got inside another shot was fired. Accused subsequently came into the house, and, on ascertaining that witness was alive, requested witness to shoot him, whereupon witness grabbed him by the arm and pushed him out of the house. Accused did not say why he tried to shoot witness, and did not make any reference to his wife. Under cross-examination, witness admitted that he was living with accused's wife who, he said, was forced on to his hands by accused. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial.