MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14703, 2 June 1920, Page 8

MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER.

i ~ f(Per Press Association.) • I, AUCKLAND, Juno 1. | The charge of murder against a i youngs Maori named Hona Herewini , (alias Hona Sehvjn from Awanui) was ■ commeiiced at the Supreme Court this morning, before Mr Justice Chapman. Hona was charged that at Awauui, on February 7, he murdered a fellow Maori named; Mei Hcmi Hui, twentytwo years of age. , In opening the case Mr J. L. Tole, K.C.j stated that on Saturday, February 7, a, number of young Maoris were about the Awanui . Hotel in the after- ; noon, some of them belonging to Awaj nui, and some ''coming from Kaingaroa. i After the hotel closed at 6 p.m. they I remained , foe. a. time about the stable • yard of the hotel. Some time after 7 p.m. M.ei Hui were seen •: lighting, and 'were separated. Prisoner was advised to get his horse - and go; home. He went to get his horse, and Hui walked towards the gate leading to tho road. Then prisoner, who" had got . on his horse, rode towards the gate, and ! the Crown, case was that as he" rode past Hui he inflicted a. very severe and fatal blow on Hui's head with some piece of wood or a stirrup iron. Hui fell unconscious, and •I after trying- to revive him all ' the i Maoris went away. The most extra--1 ordinary, feature -of the case was that | this injured young man seemed to hare | been left. lying in the yard. The fact that was wrapped in mystery was his removal, for the body was found later, only after three ok four days' search, in a drain a quarter of a mile from the hotel. The evidence for the Crown had not concluded when_±he Court adjourned. Prior to the rising of the Court, the Crown Prosecutor ssiid he wished to Re-duce-the charge to one of manslaughter. His Honor Mr Justice Chapman concurred.