BOYS DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20774, 6 April 1939, Page 8

BOYS DEATH

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE MAORI FARMER FOR TRIAL “NO HARM INTENDED” (Special to Times) RAWENE, Wednesday A charge of committing manslaughter by causing the death of his nephew, Waha lloori Ihraria, at Wairnamaku on February 19, was preferred against Paul iladfield (32;, a Maori farmer, in the Police Court at Rawene to-day. Detective J. B. Finlay conducted the case for the police, and the accused was represented bv Mr W. C. Wylie. Evidence was given by Walia's brother, Isalila Ihraria 10 , that lie sometimes helped his brother, who lived with his uncle, to milk his uncle's cows. On February 19 they got in the cows with the dog, and Waha was milking when their uncle came into the shed. After hitting witness with his hand, accused picked up a separator-disc holder, and went over to Waha and hit him with it. Witness said his brother fell on to the concrete flood straight away, with the disc holder protruding from his head. Scalp Perforated Dr. G. M. Smith, medical superintendent of the Hokianga Hospital, said he was at Pakanae on February 19. Iladfield came to him and said that he had struck the boy, Waha. Witness examined the boy and his condition appeared hopeless. He was taken to hospital and died there early the following morning. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and death was found to be due to a perforation of the scalp behind the right ear, witness added. The wound extended about 4 A in. into the brain. Detective Finlay said that Iladfield called at about 8 p.m. on February 19 at the Rawene Police Station and told the officer in charge, Constable E. J. Gibbs, that he had had an accident with the boy, Waha. He was very distressed and had come to the station of his own free will. Statement to Police In a statement to the police, witness continued, Iladfield stated that he had no children, and he wanted to bring the boy, Waha, up as his own son. On February 19 he heard the boys putting the dog on to the cows, lie was angry, as he had told Waha before not to do so. He entered the shed and gave the younger boy a slap °n the s'do of the head He then picked up a separator-disc holder, which was lying open on a bench, and struck at Waha with U. He intended to hit him on the shoulder, but he hit him on the head. ‘‘When I hit Waha I only meant to punish him for ‘sooling’ the dog * n to the cows,” accused's statement continued. “ I did not mean to do him' any harm.” Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Rail of £IOO was allowed on bis own recognisance.