AWAHURI SENSATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 June 1926, Page 5

AWAHURI SENSATION.

HALF-CASTE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. By Telcsraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N., June 11. Arising out of the sensation at Await uri on tin* night of February 10, Ernest Taniwha Sutherland, a half-caste Maori, was charged at the Police Court with attempting to kill his wife, Rangianaua Sutherland, with wilfully setting lire to tho dwelling-house of hi's father-in-law, Richard Drummond, and with bssaulting his mother-in-law, Ngaere Drummond, causing her actual bodily harm. Senior-Detective Quirke, for the police, said Mrs Sutherland had been contemplating a separation from her husband, and proceedings were being taken in the Feilding Court the day following the alleged assault. About midnight on February 10, Mrs Sutherland, with her mother and father, with ■whom she wa g living, were awakened by a noise, and Annies... As a result of the injuries received Mrs Sutherland was admitted to the Palmerston Hospital the following day, and remained there until May 29. Even now she is not vet properly well. Mrs Drummond, as a result of her injuries had been in hospital a little over a fortnight. The case was, a quite simple one. Ac cused lost Jiis head and resorted to

violence. t Rangianua Sutherland, in evidence, said that Sutherland was living apart j from her in a hut a mile from her father’s home. At midnight she heard a noise outside her father’s home. .She investigated, when her husband npproached and struck her several blows with a blunt instrument. _He then made off into the night. While in hospital witness received a letter from her husband asking forgiveness, and pleading for reconciliation. Richmond Drummond said that on being awakened he went outside and found sacks of old clothes burning under the house. On pulling them out Sutherland struck witness with a garden hoe. . Drummond, continuing, said that later his wile appeared witli blood streaming from her face. Sutherland ■also pointed something at witness, and threatened to shoot him. Wot ness chased accused, who disappeared. All this time, tho house was steadily burning, and was soon razed to the | ground. . i Tho police gave evidence that the I accused admitted placing burning sacks under the building, hut denied that lie intended doing any harm. Accused pleaded not guilty, awl reserved his dofoncee. He was committed for trial on all charges.