ASSAULT CASE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 8

ASSAULT CASE

MAORI ON ROADSIDE PARTY NEAR SCENE BLOOD STAINS ON WOOD The condition of Mr George Kahi. single, of Pukekohe, who was found on the roadside at Te Kauwhata at about 11.30 on Saturday evening suffering from severe head wounds, is reported by the Waikato Hospital to-day to be still serious. He is more comfortable than when admitted but otherwise his condition has shown little change. The cause of Mr Kahi’s injuries was unknown for some time, but the police suspected that it was a case of assault and detectives from. Auckland, and the local police have been searching the area. A piece of sawn timber measuring 9in. by lin. and about 4ft. long has been "found by Constable D. Craigie, of Huntly, two chains from tho spot where the injured man was found, and it is stated that there are bloodstains on it. Mr Kahi has not yet recovered consciousness but it is stated that when he was operated on after arrival at the Waikato Hospital the doctors removed small particles of wood from cuts and gashes on his face and head. This is consistent with the police contention that Mr Kahi was the victim of a savage assault. Mr W. A. Watson, the taxi driver who found Mr Kahi, stated yesterday that "there was a party at Mr .Amo Tipuhi’s house about a quarter of a mile from his place and there were about 50 Maoris at the house. He put his searchlight on the house as he passed to let them know that he had returned in case they wanted his car. Mr Thompson Kahi, brother of the injured man, and some others came across to the taxi driver as he was putting his car away and as he walked to meet them he heard the groan and found the injured man lying a short distance from his garage.