SHOTS AT HALFCASTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 7

SHOTS AT HALFCASTE.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. MAORI COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Per Press Association.) MASTERTON, March 10. Pakira Haeata, a good-looking, intelligent young Maori, who speaks English fluently, was charged at the Master ton Court, before Mr S. L. P. Free, H.M., with the attempted murder of Janies Kenrick at Blackrock Station oa February 4. James Kenrick, a half-caste, said that he was a shepherd and drover residing a; Blackrock Station, near Masterton. He had known Haeata for a couple ot years. \\ hile riding home on February 4 he met Haeata, who admitted during a conversation that lie had said that iia was going to shoot him. On reaching home, lie went to bed early, intending to get up at 1.30 and take stock to the freezing works. Sleeping in the house were his daughters Elizabeth and Mary. and Mrs Haeata, who had been living at his place for about three months. He left the house at 2.30, and when about a chain and a half away from the stable lie heard a voice singing out, “Pull up, Kenrick!” He looked over, and saw the accused running by the side of a fence. Haeata got up nnd sat- on the gate. He had a gun with him. Witness sang out: “Is that you, Butler?” and Haeata replised, “That’s me.” Witness said: ‘ Are you going to do it this time?” and Haeata replied, “ Y'es.” Witness sang out. “All right; give me time,” and walked away from the trap and took his coat and hat off and hung them up. He then walked up to Haeata. who was about six yards away. Haeata was pointing th© gun at him and witness said: “You may as well make a good job of it while you are at. it.” Haeata took a long aim, and let fire. Witness moved a little, and got one shot over the eye. He felt a shot go past, and heard it hit the splashboard of the cart. Haeata ran at the witness with his gun presented, and witness ran farther back. The horse was rearing up, and when he grasped the horse’s rein he got a second shot in •his left hip. Witness then ran straight to the house. About six yards away from the back of the trap he got a shot in his right shoulder, and after this he made for the house. Three shots so far bad been fired at him, and before he got inside another shot was fired. Continuing his evidence, the witness said that the accused subsequently came into the house, and, on ascertaining that the witness was safe, requested the witness to shoot him. Witness then grabbed him by the arm and pushed him out of the house. The accused did not say why he had tried to shoot him, and did not make any reference to his wife. Under cross-examination, the witness admitted that he was living with the accused’s wife, who, he said, was forced on to his hands by the accused. The accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial.