Maori Murderer

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19407, 6 November 1934, Page 8

Maori Murderer

ANNIHILATION OF FAMILY.

INQUEST ON DAVENPORTS.

HONA GUILTY OF CRIMES.

(Times Special Reporter.)

TE KUITI, Monday,

At the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the Davenport family at Rangitoto, conclusive evidence that the Maori, Henare had murdered the entire family was produced by the police, and the Coroner, Mr R. M. Somerville, J.P., returned a verdict accordingly. The crime occurred on the night of October 9, Edward Lancashire Davenport (28) succumbing to head injuries on October 11, Albert David Davenport (35), being found dead with a gun shot wound in the hack of the head, and the remains of their parents, German Mortin Daveport (70), and Alice Davenport (70), being found in the ashes of their destroyed homestead. The police case was conducted by Detective A. J. White, of Hamilton, and Mr E. M. Mackersey, of Te Kuiti, appeared on behalf of the Davenports’ relatives.

The following evidence was taken after we went to press yesterday:—

Evldonce By Dootor.

Dr L. R. de Castro, in giving evidence in respect to the deaths of Albert and Edward Davenport, stated that he saw Edward Davenport at 2.30 a.m on October 10. Edward was suffering from severe injuries to the top portion of. the forehead and the hack of the skull. He was deeply unconsciousness and an operation was performed immediately. Deceased died at 6.25 p.m. on October 11 without regaining consciousness. He had a depressed fracture of the forehead and several fractures at the back of the skull. Witness stated that the nature of the injuries pointed to him having been struck three severe blows -on the 'head with a heavy, blunt instrument. It would have been impossible for him to have inflicted the Injuries on himself. When witness saw deceased at 3.30 a.m. on October 10 he formed the opinion that the injuries were inflicted some hours previously.

Albert D'avenport, when witness saw him, was lying in a crumpled position near a whare on Davenport’s farm. He was lying face down with a rifle grasped in his right 'hand. He had a wound in the back of the head. He had been killed by a bullet from a rifle, the bullet being recovered from deceased’s skull. There were no powder marks or burns surrounding the wound. When witness saw the body at 10.15 on October 10 deceased had been dead at least i'2 hours. Mrs 'Kitty Joseph, wife of an employee of Major Westmacott, stated that Henare Hona used to live in the house occupied by her husband and herself. Hona had a bedroom to himself hut had his meals with them. On Monday, October 8, witness said she read a letter written by Hona intimating that 'he intended to commit suicide. She told her husband about the letter and as they knew that Hona had bullets to fit the .303 rifle in her bedroom her husband extracted the •bolt from the rifle. Hona helped with the milking as usual on October 9 and appeared to be alright at breakfast. About a quarter of an 'hour after breakfast her husband called Hona, but could not iflnd him. They found that the .303 rifle was missing and on entering Hona’s room they found the letters already produced. Hona’s suitcase and clothes were also missing. Her husband then told Major Westmacott what had happened. Witness had never heard Hona speak of the Davenports.

Finding of Body.

The next witness was Ilakarene Reka Kingi, who had to have the services of an interpreter. He said that he was a farmer of Te Akoroa. He and another man, CM. Anderson, were out prospecting for gold and decided to stay the night of October 9 at the vvhare on Davenport’s property. They heard no noise or no shot during the night. In the morning when looking for his horse witness saw the body of Albert Davenport near the whare. He and his friend then rode up to Davenport’s homestead to report th 6 finding of the body. John Wallace, plate layer, employed on the railway line near Kio Rio, stated that 'on Thursday, October 11, a young Maori spoke to him early in the morning. It was at 5.45 o’clock and he asked if a train going north would stop at Kio Kio. Witness said that as far as he knew the Maori boarded the 7.15 a.m. train for the north. Since having seen the photo of Ilona witness stated that the Maori who spoke to him was very like the Rangitoto Maori. Constable G. Fry, of Otorohanga, stated that at mid-day on October 9 he received a message from Major Weslmacott that an employee of his had disappeared after leaving a letter intimating suicide. Witness went to Otewa, where the Maori girl Ilona was keeping company with lived, hut could see no sign of him. He continued inquiries and when sign could be found of him at_ 7.25 p.m. witness informed the Te Kuiti police of the position. Murder Conclusively Proved. Detective A. J. White stated that lie arrived at the farm of the late Mr G. M' Davenport at 8.30 a.m. on October* 10. The house had been burnt, to the ground and the fire was still hot. He saw where the remains of thehuman body was found at the rear of the house near the kitchen sink. The bones of the body indicated that the human being was a woman. Alongside the body was a .22 calibre rifle and a single, barrel shot gun. The position of Albert Davenport’s body clearly' indicated that he was shot in the, hack whiic lie was in a crouching position. The rifle gripped' in his right hand was loaded hut had not been bred It was distinctly obvious that Albert •Davenport was murdered mid that the shot that killed him was fired from .22 calibre rifle. Later in the afternoon the remains of another body was found in the front portion of the ruins of the Davenport home Near the remains of this body, which was identified as that of Mr G. M Davenport wilnesr also iound a .22 calibre riile. Alongside a fallen chimney witness found Hie remains of a double-harrcll shot gun. As the result of the information gained a

search of the surrounding country was / made for Henare Hona. Witness ' examined the property of the Maori who shot Constable Keeps at Tatuanui on Octobed 20, the same evening a 3 the shooting the property clearly indicating that it belonged to Henare HonaIn Edward Davenport’s wallet, which was found among the effects were recent photographs of Hona and a photo of -Major Westmacott’s homestead. Thirty rounds of .32 calibre revolver bullets were in a box in the wallet and six more bullets were found in the toe of a sock belonging to Hona., The revolver, watch, bag and forage cap produced to-day were also in his possession. He also had a new suitcase, two new suits of clothes, a new overcoat, new hat, new underclothing and a steel guitar. The new property in his possession would have cost him £ls. From the clothing witness was able to establish that Hona was the Maori who had purchased the clothing at Frankton Junction on October 11. At that time 'he had a roll of notes in his possession. As a result of the inquiries made it is clear that Edward Davenport was the first person to receive an injury on the night of October 9, Injuries from which he died. Murdered Before Burnt. Following upon that Albert Davenport was fatally shot. The rifle with which he was shot was returned to the Davenport homestead and was found in the debris. The bodies of Mr and Mrs Davenport were In remote portions of the house and before the building had been set fire to they had been either killed or rendered Incapable of resistance. The position of the firearms found in the ruins indicates that they were dead prior to the fire. This is not an opinion but the result of the police inquiries. In reply to Mr Mackersey, Detective White stated that he was positive Albert 'Davenport was killed before his parents. Albert Davenport was killed instantaneously and the rifle with which he was shot was placed in the 'Davenport’s homestead before It was burned. 'Before the coroner retired to consider his verdict Mr Mackersey asked him that if he was sure that Albert Davenport died before his parents. to mention it in his verdict as in the eyes of law if it was not definitely proved which party died first it was held that the senior members died before the junior members of the family. This might be an important factor in the distribution of the estate.

The coroner returned a verdiot that German Mortin Davenport and his wife Alice Davenport were murdered on October-9 by the Maori Henare Hona, after Hona had Inflicted fatal injuries on Edward Lancashire Davenport and had murdered Albert David Davenport. Mr Somerville commended the action taken by Major Westmacott in connection with the Maori’s disappearance, and also stated that In his opinion the Otorohanga and Te Kuiti police, under the circumstances did all within their power to prevent tht catastrophe.

DAVENPORT EBTATE.

TWO DEATH DUTIES.

TWO RELATIVES SHARE £15,000.

The Davenport estate will be inherited by Mr Albert Edward Davenport, of Goulburn, New South Wales, a brother of Mr G. M. Davenport, and Mrs J. Stanford, of Wellington, a sister of Mrs G. M. Davenport, both receiving a half share. The estate has been valued at £15,000 and as Mr Edward Davenport died the day after his parents the estate passed to him before be succumbed. Two separate death duties are there- 'j fore due to the Government and the - figure is expected to be £3OOO.