MAORI CHARGED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 19, 23 January 1946, Page 3

MAORI CHARGED

TWO INDICTMENTS OF MURDER MANUNUI TRAGEDY SEQUEL LOWER COURT HEARING IN TAUMARUNUI (P.A.) Taumarunui, Jan. 22. | In the Taumarunui Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Messrs. W, Meads and O. W. Thomas, Justices of the Peace, Ivan Manford Kahu was charged with the murder of his wife Hine P.'ri Kahu, at Manunui, on December 8. He also appeared on a second charge of murdering Massey Amundsen on the same date at Manunui. Mr. N. R. Bain, Crown Prosecutor, Wanganui, conducted the case for the Crown and accused was represented by Mr. D. H. Hal], Taumarunui. Mere than 20 witnesses are to be called.

Mr. Hall agreed that the two charges be taken together in the Lower Court, but reserved the right to move for separate trials in the Supreme Court if necessary.

Dr. P. P. Lynch, Government pathologist (Wellington) submitted a report in which he stated that he found human bloodstains and spattered blood on an overcoat, trousers and working boots. A safety razor blade and hair were matted together with human blood. He found human blood on a hammer. He examined hair found on the floor of the middJe room at accused’s residence, and hair taken from the head of Mrs. Kahu bv Dr. Ritchie, and also examined hair found with the razor blades. Witness made a microscopic examination and all hair appeared to come from the sAme individual.

Dr. Vernon Russell Ritchie outlined the injuries, to the two deceased. Amundsen died of a severe laceration of the brain and Mrs. Kahu had cuts in the neck, consistent with having been made by a safety razor, and

small fractures consistent* with having been made with a claw hammer. Witness produced a note handed to him by the sister at the hospital prior to the operation on Mrs. Kahu. The note, which is a record of what Mrs. Kahu said, read:

“I am told that my husband cut my throat while interviewing me in the house at Manunui. Please pull the clothes over my shoulders. I am cold. Where is the doctor?” Witness handed the note to Detec-tive-Sergeant Hay. Mr. Hall formally objected to the production of the note as evidence. Harold Fisher Lissette, constable attached to the Criminal Registration Branch, Wellington, gave evidence of taking photographs showing bloodstains cn the verandah of Amundsen’s house. He found fingerprints on a cup which were identical with accused’s finger prints. “DOMESTIC TROUBLES” William Angell, tax-driver, said that he drove accused on November 30 to relatives at Taringamotu. Kahu remarked that he had domestic troubles but gave no details. Kahu said his troubles were due to heresay and certain yarns going round, but he had no proof. John Hdeta, farm labourer, said accused visited witness’ home at Taringamotu on November 30 and brought his chikl with him. Witness asked where Kahu’s wife was and accused said some white chap had gone away with her, but did not say who the white chap was. Kahu left the child and gave £2 to witness for its keep. Numia Hoeta said Kahu was her nephew. Accused and his wife once lived with the Hoetas for some time and accused was good to his wife. Accused came to her house on December 7 and took the baby away. Sam Houpapa, farmer, said he knew the Kahus well. In December, 1945, accused told witness that his (accused’s) wife was no good and running round with someone else. Witness advised accused to talk it over with his wife. They had previously lived happily together., Jane Annie Spence, otherwise known as Sister Alison, said accused consulted her as the child welfare officer abr-ift leaving his baby at his relatives’ home. He said he was taking the chikl away because of a domestic difference and the child was being neglected. Accused said his wife's affection had turned from him and she was intimate with a neighbouring man, Massey Amundsen. Accused said he would do anything for reconciliation, but his wife must give up her infatuation for the other man. Accused said Amundsen’s conduct was such that he would kill him. He had a duty to defend his home as well as his country. No one could defend the home but himself. The Maori law was different from the New Zealand law. The Maori killed a man who betrayed him. The Divine law was higher than the man-made law and an adulterer should die. Witness went next day to the home of accused to effect a reconciliation. Accused and hie, wife had a talk in Maori. Accused said his wife had said to him that she woulfl give herself to any man who would free her from her | husband. Accused said he told her that if she degraded herself and him Ihe would murder her. Witness said: ["Don’t say terrible filings like that : which you don't mean.” ! There were times when accused apinealnd affectionately to his wife to forgive and forget and make a fresh start.

Tuki Kahu, a brother of accused, said that accused told him another man was enticing his wife away and •he would do them both in. Knowing • his brother, he thought it only a joke. ; The Court adjourned till to-mor- : row.