HUNTLY MYSTERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23661, 21 May 1940, Page 6

HUNTLY MYSTERY

DEATH OF INDIAN CRIES HEARD BY MINER BLOOD.FOUND NEAR SWAMP [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN HUNTLY. Monday No arrest has yet been made in connection with the assault on Rama Khushal, the middle-aged Indian who on Saturday afternoon was found dead in a small swamp close to the shack in which lie lived on the bank of the Waikato River at Huntly West. A Maori miner who left work • at midnight on Friday said that about half an hour afterward ho heard cries for help from the direction of Khushal's shack. Ho was unable to identify the voice, and thought nothing more of it until he read about the case this ingThis man, whose name is Bill Maru, lives at a house about 300 yards from Khushal's shack. He said he was having a meal when he hoard cries of "Help! Help!" He went to the door of his kitchen and listened intently, but heard nothing more. Last Seen on Bus It was learned this morning that Khushal left Huntly by bus at about 10.30 p.m. on Friday to go to Huntly West. Nothing is known of his movements after ho alighted from the bus, but a young man has told the police that on his way homo from a dance at about midnight he saw a light issuing from the window of the shack. At the time he thought it unusual, since Khushal generally went to bed early. Near the spot where the Indian was found lying face downward, in the swamp the police have found eight teeth which were missing from his mouth, and about 50ft. from the swamp they saw three patches of congealed blood. Hence, it appears that there was a struggle a short distance from where he met his death in the shallow water of the swamp. Inquest Formally Opened Khushal was married to Wina Waikato, but the parties lived apart. Their son, aged eight, sometimes slept in the shack, but often stayed with his mother at Rakaumanga, or with his grandmother at the Waahi Pa, about a quarter of a mile from his father's shack. Joseph Bhikoo, an Indian who keeps the general store near the pa, said he knew Khushal well, and regarded him as "a harmless sort of man."

An inquest was opened this morning before Mr. F. Harris, J.P. Bhikoo gave formal evidence of identification. The inquest was adjourned sine die.