THE PUHIPUHI TRAGEDY.

Waikato Independent, Volume XII, Issue 1019, 1 June 1911, Page 5

THE PUHIPUHI TRAGEDY.

ACCUSED SENTENCED TO DEATH "VERY BAD BUSINESS." By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, yesterday. The hearing of the charge of murder preferred against the young Maori, Tahi Kaka, in connection with the death of John Freeman at Puhipuhi on April sth, last, was continued in the Auckland Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon before Mr Justice'Edwards. , At the conclusion of counsels' addresses, his Honor summed up and the jury, after an hour's retirement, returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of murder, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of er's youth. ' His Honor inlimated that he would have the .recommendation sent to the proper quf.rter. Neither when the jury's verdict was announced nor when prisoner was asked if he had anything to say why the sentence of death should be passed upon him, did Kaka show the slightest trace of feeling, and remained silent and unmoved. Assuming the black cap, his Honor solemnly pronounced death in the statutory form: "You shall be taken to the gallows, anr> there hung by the neck until you are dead." "Very bad business," somewhat casually remarked the condemned youth to his attendants when he got below. Yes, „verybad for you,' wzstheieloinder. "When will you hang me" further . inquired the prisoner, and when it was explained to him that the recommendation of mercy had yet to be considered, and might possibly result in the death sentence being commuted, Kaka rhowed signs of some animation and surprise, in place of the silent indifference that he exhibited throughout the trial.