THE RANGITOTO MURDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19406, 5 November 1934, Page 7

THE RANGITOTO MURDERS

INQUEST ON DAVENPORT FAMILY.

THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HONA

MAORI’S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR.

rTimes Special Reporter.) 1 v v TE KUITI, Monday,

One of the most callous crimes In the history of New Zealand terminated with the inquests regarding the deaths of the Davenport family, before the coroner, Mr II M. Somerville, J.P., in the Te Kuiti Courthouse to-day. ' The case for the police was conducted by Detective A. J. White, of Hamilton, who was In charge of the police proceedings throughout the crime, and Mr E. M. Mackersey appeared ‘on behalf of relatives of deceased.

The tragedy occurred on the night of October 9, at Rangitoto, when the entire family of Davenports was annihilated.

Edward Janeashire Davenport (28), was found on the roadside three miles from the farm with his head battered in, and died in the Te Kultj hospital. Albert David Davenport (35) was found by the police next morning in a whare, shot in the back of - the head. The remains of German Mortin Davenport (70) and his wife Alice Davenport (70), the parents of Edward and Albert, Were found in the debris of the burnt homestead. Indications at the . time pointed to a murder perpetrated by a*Maori, Henare Hona, aged 20 years, a farm labourer employed by Major H. H. S- Westmacott, a farmer in the neighbourhood. - . Extensive Man Hunt. An extensive man hunt for the Maori, who had disappeared, was in progress when ho was reported to be In Morrinsville. Constable T. lleeps, who went to investigate on October SO, was shot in the head by the Maori with a revolver, and ’the suspect again disappeared. The largest man hunt in the history of the Dominion closed on Sunday morning, October 21, when Ilona shot himself when surrounded by ponceConstable Heeps and Hona died oi October 21. making six deaths in connection with the tragedy. , At an inquest regarding the deaths of Hona and Constable Keeps in Hamilton the coroner, Mr S. J- Paterson, SM., found that Constable Keeps had been murdered by Ilona, who hat commuted sumide. An Inquest on Albert Davenpo opened on October It and on the remainder of the family on October 12, all being adjourned after evidence ot Identification. , . „ . Little public Interest was taken m the proceedings to-day, when'the four inquests were taken together. Last Seen Allye. 1 i Joseph Tasker, labourer, who. was. working on the Davenport farm, stated that on Tuesday, October 9, he and Thomas Brophy went to, work at < a.m. They were employed stumping a' few chains from the homestead. They spoke to Albert Davenport and saw’ Edward two or three times, during the day. Edward Davenport left the farm at 3 p.m. to clear’' a slip on the road three miles from the homestead. Witness never saw’ him again. At 5.30 p.m. witness saw Mr and Mrs Davenport at the homegtead. . H? then went to his whare half a mile from the homestead, through dense bush, and did not know that anything untoward had happened until next morning at 8 o’clock, when, on going to . work, he found the homestead burnt Valid the police in charge. The Daven- ■' ports had never : expressed fear of anybody, and were always jovial. Threats of Sulcldo.

Letters Written by Maori.

Constable L. N. Rose, or To Kuitl. stated that at 8.50 p.m. on October 9 he rang G. M. Davenport, or Rangitoto. His reason for so doing was to warn him that a young Maori,. Ilenare Hona, who left his farm suddenly that morning, saying that’lie was. going to commit suicide, was last seen going towards the Davenports’ home. Witness described Hona, and Daxenpoit said: ‘‘That message worries me considerably. At about 5 p.m. or later this evening a Maori answering that description came to my home. He almost fell in the door when I opened it in a state r of collapse. The' Maori Informed me that my son Edward, who was working on a slip on the road, had been killed by Some Pakeha, at the same time asking me, 'lf they killed your son will they be hanged?’ The Maori then altered his story, and said my son was having a big row with a Pakeha at the slip and they were armed, and Edward had sen! him up for his gun. ‘Give me his gun and I will take it down to him,’ said the Maori. My other son, Albert, was working a little way away from home, and I instructed the- Maori to inform Albert, both returning later. 1 gave Albert his .44 calibre rifle .and the Maori a single shot .22 rifle and five cartridges. They went away and since then I have seen nothing of them.”

Maori Not Normal

Witness asked Mr Davenport if the Maori appeared normal.' Davenport ■replied: ‘‘No, he appeared to be erratic, and very much upset, although 1 was of opinion that he was putting on a good deal.” Davenport added that there was no one else in the house except himself and his wife, and both were upset. The Maori had nothing In his possession when he arrived. Witness instructed Davenport to ring the police IT he heard any word, and told him that he would ring again in twenty minutes. The constable added that judging by the conversation, Davenport did not know the Maori. Tho yolico were prepared to go out., and before leaving at 9.20 p.m. witness again rang Davenport, but there was no reply. Allvo But Unconsolous.

Maori Girl’s Story.

Constables Muir, Fry and Rose and Mr Edgar Davenport comprised a party that went to tho homestead. Witness described Hie (hiding of Edward Davenport DO feet down a bank In some shrubs, lie was alive but unconscious. After Edward Davenport bad been removed to the •hospital by Constables Fry and Muir witness andr Edgar .Davenport proceeded to the homestead, arriving at .i DO a.m. on October 10. The house was stilt smouldering, and had been destroyed by Ore. Witness then described the Aiming of Albert Davenport's body near a whare four miles from the farm. Deceased bad a Wile in his possession, with a live cartridge in Die chamber. II had not. been discharged. Deceased ~n , i been dead for soino lime. Wit,lf.s„ found an empty .22 calibre rifle sheii about eight, feet to the rear or Albert, Davenport’s body. It, had a now appearance. A wound in the of Albert’s bead coincided with Ibc use of a .22 rifle-

The following additional letters were written by Hona to Major West* macott: "Sorry Major, but I can’t help It, You know I done the wrong thing before you, and I am ashamed to slop in this w’orld and look upon this thing I have done. This only way of getting out of trouble. It’s a dead love for H. N. Hona.’’ A small note was. contained in the letter, addressed to Rora, as follows: "Good girl.xYou have done me wrong. I am never coming back. It is true honey. Goodbye. l —Jack." Sorry for Deed I’ve Done.

The following letter was.written to Rora: “Writing this lovely letter of mine to you, my lonesome pearl, who made my heart ache in the bygone days. Well, Rora, I’m very sorry for the deed I’ve done wrong and getting you in all this trouble. ■ Well, dear, from this morning to this lonely hour I could not see my lonesome range, because my eyes were flooded with tears, and all these tears were meant for you. Well, dear, I can’t go home until I see you face to face. I’ve got important news'to tell you; so will you please meet me at the corner of the hedge by the pigsty to-night,early if you can. Dearest, if you fail tonight that means my love to you is lost, but I will tell you this: t will never forget you as my true love, and it is sealed in my heart/Of blue. If things go wrong I will be too downhearted and will kill myself, and there is no more night shadow to help you, so good-bye, darling. Don’t forget I’ll love you for ever if I’m lucky. Tears are falling for - you in my dreams. I will kill myself if you turn me down, for my love for you is in the deepest of my ’ heart. Signed, Douglas Cyclone." Evidence of a Relative. t Witness stated that Mr G. M. Davenport had said over the telephone that he had given the Maori the gun because he thought Edward was in trouble. He was told that the three men who were molesting Edward were armed, and he thought that it was desirable that both,Albert and tb.e Maori should he ai’me'd'.'

The next witness was Edgar Jolihstone Davenport, farmer, of Te Kuitl, a nephew of the late G. M. Davenport. He corroborated-the evidence of-Con-stable Rose as to finding the bodies of Edward and Albert. Davenport. Witness knew that his uncle had a .32 calibre revolver, and had handled .it frequently. .The. revolver found in the possession of Hoha and with which the Maori shot Constable Ileeps and himself *at Morrinsvllle; is the revolver that was owned by his uncle, His uncle also had 50 rounds of ammunition similar-, to the 42 rounds found in Ilona’s belongings. Witness identified the handbag and watch found on the Maori as'the property of G. M. Davenport. The watch was purchased from a jeweller in Marton, where his uncle used to reside: fl’he jeweller’s name was on the face of the watch, The leather wallet found on Hona with Edward Davenport’s name on It belonged to .witness’ cousin. An attempt had been made to erase the name from the inside of Hie pocketbpok. A military forage cap with the badge of the 16th Waikato Regiment was similar to a cap owned by Albert Davenport. In reply to a question by ’Mr,Mackersey, witness stated that he always understood that his -‘uncle was 68 years of age and,his aunt 70. He had since discovered that, his unc-le was 70 years of age and his aunt three months older. Sergeant G. J. Paine, Te Kuiti arms officer, produced particulars of firearms owned by tho ■ Davenport family. G. M. Davenport possessed a .32 calibre six-chamber colt revolver, which was registered on March 30, 1921. He also had a double-barreliea shot-gun, while Albert had a .44 calibre Winchester, a .22 calibre rifle and a single- barrelled shot-gun. Edward Davenport had a single shot ,22 calibre rifle, vAll tho arms wore produced In Court, the two shot-guns and tho two .22 calibre rifles having been through the fire. The first information regarding the Maori was received at 7.25 p.m. on October 9, and the police made efforts to trace him. On receiving information from G. M. Davenport witness decided to send the police out Immediately.

Rora Taltuha, aged 14 years, a good-looking Maori-girl, was the next witness. Speaking faultless English she admitted that she and Henaro Hona were very fond of each other. This caused trouble with her people, so Hona used to see her when her people did not know, Ilona called himself “Tho Night Shadow of the Rangitoto Lonesome Range," and also “Douglas Cyclone.’’ Ho called her “Golden Love.”

.. Witness saw Ilona on the night of October 6, and - 'during Sunday, October 7,'she saw him near the house on several occasions. She did not spen\- to him after Saturday night. Witness was visibly affected when she identified the last letter written to her by Hona. Any worry Hona ball was about her. Ilona never spoke about the Davenports, and she did not know If lie knew them. She had known Ilona for three years. Appeared Sad and Depressed. Major It. IT. Wostmacotl, farmer of Rangitoto, deposed that Henare Hona was in his employ for 12 months, being engaged in general farm work. He was a good worker, and witness never noticed -anything peculiar about his mental outlook, lie showed keenness and aptitude for military drill. Witness brought Hona to Otorohangn to attend drill on Saturday, October 6, and did not see him until the Monday, (Continued in next column.)

when he was working as usual, although his manner seemed to be changed. He previously was a 'happy, jovial fellow, but on the Monday he appeared sad and depressed. On the previous Friday witness had reprimanded Hona for taking his horses at night without permission. Hona accepted the reprimand and expressed regret. On Tuesday, October 9‘ witness was told by his employees, Mr and Mrs Joseph, that the Maori had disappeared. A .303 rifle that was at the bouse where Ilona lived also had disappeared, although the bolt of the rifle was still in’ the house. Letters addressed to witness' (published ' at the inquest on Henare Hona), were found in Ilona’s room, and Intimated that the Maori Intended to commit suicide. Witness stated that he immediately organised a search to try and find Hona, but could not locato him. Witness found tracks where Hona had entered the hush. The direction of the track was pointing towards the Davenports’ property. It was not a regular track to the Davenports. When the Maori could not be found witness rang Constable Fry at O.torohanga in the forenoon, telling him what had happened. Constable Fry had suggested that the Maori was not serious In his intention, and that he could not do anv harm with the weapon he had. Never Spoke of Davenports.

Witness did not think that Ilona knew tho Davenports. He never spoke of them. Witness knew that the Davenports objected to strange persons going over their properties carrying ‘rillek, and always ordered them off the property. Edward Davenport was most, particular in tills respect.

In witness’ opinion had Edward Davenport seen Hona on Ills property carrying a .303 rifle he would have ordered him off. Hona at that time would most likely have resented a peremptory order such as would probably have been given by Edward Davenport. Tho only cause of Ilona's depressipn, as far as witness knew, was his association with the Maori girl at Otewa. Tho luncheon adjournment was 1 then takeu^