SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10252, 31 May 1911, Page 5

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

WITH RECOMMENDATION TO MERCY.

THE MAORI KAKA

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Last Night,

The Native youth Taki Kalka, charged with the murder of John Freeman, a gumdigger, at Puhipuhi, was found guilty by the jury, after an hour's deliberation, but was recomimended to mercy on account of his youth. The prisoner was sentenced to death. Kafea, the accused, gave evident on his own behalf, speaking in good Efngrlish. He stated that he was 16 or 17 years of age. He described how he accompanied Freeman in pursuit of gum. He noticed something bulging in Freeman's hip pocket. Freeman said he had £2O. Prisoner added: "I thought he was joking." I said give me the money or I'll kill you. Freeman had a spear in his hand, and a spado at his side. 'Oomo on, kill me,' said Freeman, Who dropped' the spade, and taking the spear in both hands, threw it at prisoner, and then threw the spade, striking pris'aner on the shoulder. Freeman tried to clutch the prisoner by both hands, but prisoner 'ducked and Freeman fell on top of him, both going to the ground. Freeman wais tryng to got an axe out of his bag, and prjsonea" hit him three blows over the head with a stick, and then ran away. As Freeman did not follow, prisoner returned. Freeman was not quite dead. Prisoner was very sorry for him, and cried, because he tin-ought he was dead. Prisoner thought lie would be hanged for killing the man, and, remembering Freeman had said he had money, prisoner took the money out of his hip pocket.