CHARGE OF MURDER

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 50

CHARGE OF MURDER

A MAORI ON TRIAL. WELLINGTON, January 24. The trial of a Maori. John Tuhi, on a charge of murdering his employer, Herbert Henry Knight, at Johnsonville on October 16. was opened in the Magistrate’s Court, to-day. Or Hector said that an examination revealed a large wound oil the left side of the head and an opening in the skull sin by Sin. Great force was required to cause the injury. In the course of his evidence at this afternoon's proceedings in the trial of John luhi, a former employee of Knight recognised the coat that Tuhi was wearing in ihe court as previously having belonged to the deceased. Other articles of attire were also identified. V itness admitted having had a dispute with Knight as to wages, hut he declared that they parted good friends. Knight had declared that he had no money, and could not possibly pay hiru. It was at his suggestion that Tuhi «ucceeded to his position on the farm. A neighbour related how he. had questioned luhi after Knight’s disappearance, ihe Native had replied; “Oh, Knight. 110 never eoine back/’ Pressed for further inf'.xtination, he said that he knew someone who had seen Knight go away on a big boat. He was quite unconcerned a 3 to his employer’s absence. Witness cautioned him about removing building materials and tools from the farm, and told him the police were watching. He also suggested that there had been a white woman visitor, but this Tuhi strenuously denied. ** Looking him straight in the face,” continued witness, ”1 said to luhi: ‘You know where he is?’ but he said he did not.” Other witnesses gave evidence of identification of certain articles, and also as to the haoits of deceased. n , ,■ , - , „. January 25. Ihe trial of the Maori John Tuhi on a charge of murdering Herbert Henry Knight was continued in the Magistrate’s Court Mokara, a Maori, said that after Knight's disappearance the bed on which he had slept was removed from the kitchen to another room. . The kitchen window' was not as clean during the time Knight was there as after his disappearance. Two fisherDren had come to the place after Knight’s disappearance and purchased a horse and cart and trap. Ernest Rushworth (farmer) said that Tuhi, who was very drunk, came to him in August and asked if Knight had been there, and intimated that he was going to wait for Knight so as to get rid of him. When told that Knight had gone home Tuhi said he vvouid go home and lay the out. Tn the afternoon various witnesses were called, who gave evidence as to the sudden disappearance of Knight from the district. A warning had been given to Tuhi that he should not dispose of any stock or property on the farm unless the police were consulted. One witness said that Tuhi appeared *o he offended because Knight allowed witness to milk some cows. He had said, when under the influence of liquor, that he would lay the out. After Knight’s disappearance Tuhi said that he was away in Christchurch. To another witness he said that Knight had gone away and would never come back. At various limes Tuhi sold a horse, a cart, and some eggs from the farm. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. January 26. The trial of Jolin Tuhi in connection with the Johnsonville tragedy was continued. Constable O'Donnell detailed his inquiries regarding a statement, made by accused to the effect that Knight had left home to go to Lower Hut.t to build a cottage. Tuhi later thought Kniirht might have gone to Tasmania. Finally, when Detective Walsh said Knight might have died. Tuhi replied : “He die. I burv him near the cowshed.” Tuhi indicated the spot, and the body was re-rovered. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. He had nothing to say.