THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16530, 14 September 1921, Page 7

THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY.

THIRD TRIAL RESUMED. (Per Press Association.) HAMILTON, September 14. The third trial of Hakaria charged with the murder of Patrick Richard Elliott, at Ongaroto on Easter Sunday, commenced this morning. The prisoner showed no signs of Great public interest is taken in the case, the Court being crowded. The Solicitor-General, Mr W. C. MacGregor, is appearing for the Crown and Mr M. H. Thompson, who defended the prisoner in tho two previous trials, is again appearing for him. Kepa Hamilton, a new witness and son of another witness, said that on Easter Sunday just as it was getting dark he saw prisoner alone with a gun following the fence line and going away from the bridge. Asked by the Crown Prosecutor why he had not given the information before, witness replied that he did not want to get mixed up in the case but when he discovered the seriousness of the affair he gave an honest account of what he saw to Detective Sweeney. Asked by Counsel for the prisoner whether he spoke English witness at first would not reply. Later, when pressed, he admitted that he spoke it very little. In a further reply to Mr Thompson witness said he was cantering a horse when he met accused. Prisoner’s back was turned towards him and witness did not call out anything or pull up. He did not tell anyone that night or next day that ho had seen accused. Witness was quite aware that his mother and brother had given evidence at efaeli’ of the previous trials.