FINAL EPISODES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27346, 23 March 1950, Page 10

FINAL EPISODES

AIR STATION TRAGEDY DESCRIPTION BY POLICE PA CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 22. Evidence by the police was given today at the inquiry into the death by shooting of Aircraftman Waata Haremia Momo at Weedons on December 13. Police Sergeant O. D. Wilkes, who took a police party to Weedons, said h.Ls men we.e aimea wnn automatic pistols, and witness had a shotgun, which was his own property. He instructed the police to apprehend Momo, but, if it became necessary to shoot, to aim low at his legs. It was a dark night. He learned that Momo was in the telephone exchange, that the operator had been put out, and that Momo had threatened to shoot anyone who came near him. Witness said that Constable Weston suggested using tear gas, and Flying Officer Harrington brought tear gas cylinders and showed witness how to use them. Witness said he threw one cylinder in the window of the telephone exchange but the fuse was defective and Momo threw it out again. Momo fired his rifle out of the window. Two cylinders were eventually thrown into the telephone room, and Momo fired a shot tnrough the wall in the direction of the police. Then Momo fired a fusillade of shots. Momo appeared at a door of the store, and Sergeant Cleary fired his automatic at Momo’s legs. It was clear that Momo had no intention of giving himself up. There was a lull in the firing, and an airman then told witness that Momo was dead. Witness went over and found Momo with a cocked and loaded rifle in his hands. A spent cartridge was lying nearby. Constable R. G. Garrett said that Momo fired at him when witness was out in the paddock, and by the whine of the bullet it was not far away. When Momo left the . store building, witness approached him to ask him to surrender, but Momo heard his steps and croached down to fire. Witness ran towards the back of a tractor. There was a loud noise of a bullet, hitting the tractor. Momo moved further out from the building and fired again. Then Momo went into the paddock. An airman gave witness a rifle, and he fired a shot at Momo’s legs. Other shots were fired at Momo, and. Momo returned their fire. After witness fired Momo was moving. Witness fired two more shots and thought Momo was out of action. A police party went over, and found Momo to be dead. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.