THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

Southland Times, Issue 19330, 15 September 1921, Page 5

THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

trial of te kaha. A NEW WITNESS. (Per United Prees Association.) HAMILTON, September 14. The third trial of Hakaria Te Kaha fo* the murder of Patrick Richard Elliott a| Ongaroto on Easter Sunday was continueA Kepa Hamilton, a new witness,, aon of another witness, said that on Easter Sundajf just as it was getting dark he saw prmonerf alone with a gun following the fence hn< going away from the bridge. Asked by the Crown Prosecutor why h* had not given this information before, wit. ness replied that he did not want to go* mixed up with the case, but when he di*i covered the seriousness of the affair h* gave an honest, account of what he saw tfli Detective Sweeney.

Asked by counsel for prisoner whethej he spoke English, witness at first woul* not reply. Later when pressed he admitte* he spoke it very little. In further reply to Mr Hampson, witness said he was canterin* on a horse when he met accused, prisoner’g back was turned towards him and witneed did not call out anything or pull up. H* did not tell anyone that or next da/ that he had seen accused. Witness wad quite aware that his mother and brother ha* given evidence at each previous trial.