WILD CAREER IN CAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 8

WILD CAREER IN CAR

THE OKAIHAU SENSATION GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST MAORI (Per United Press Association) WHANGAREI. July 12. On June .16, William Pera Paki. ageo 26. a Maori, drove a motor car at high speed up and down the main street at Okaihau. The car in which he was accompanied by his small son collided with a car drawn up on the side 9! the road. The occupant. Mrs Annie Evelyn Marsh, was §p badly injured that she died in hospital at Kawakawa next morning Paki’s son was seri ously injured, but his condition has now improved. Mrs Marsh’s three-year-old daughter escaped injury. After the collision Paki was discovered with his throat cut and was taken to hospital.

The seauel to the tragedy was heard in the Kaikohe Court to-day. when Paki was charged with attempted suicide, attempting to murder his son and unlawfully causing the death of Mrs Marsh thereby committing manslaugher. The evidence showed that the accused went to a boarding house and tried to induce his wife, who was living arart from him. to return. She refused whereupon Paki went into the garage took a lodger’s car. placed the boy on the seal alongside him. and dashed away. The car was driven at terrific speed estimated at over 70 miles an hour and passed the boarding house three or four times. On the last occasion the car swerved as it was approaching Mrs Marsh’s car. One witness said the accused seemed to run deliberately at the car. and others said that the car appeared to be out of control. The surfaceman whose car had been lakeo by Paki said that he met thf accused, who had blood coming from a wound on the throat. When told that Mrs Marsh would probably die and asked whv he did it. Paki replied “It’s done That’s the finish" Dr Frengley superintendent of the Kawakawa hospital, said the accused showed no signs of liquor when admitted or of mental abnormality during his stay in hospital. The hearing was adjourned.