DEATH OE HINDU

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21156, 4 July 1940, Page 8

DEATH OE HINDU

YOUNG MAORI IN COURT SEQUEL TO HUNTLY MYSTERY CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER WITNESSES TELL OF CRIES (Times Special Reporter) HUNTLY, Thursday Details concerning the death of an elderly Hindu, Rama Khushal, at Waahi, near Huntly, on May 18 were brought before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Huntly, today when a Maori farmhand, John Kite, aged 23, of Renown, faced a charge of manslaughter. The case was a sequel to a mystery, the first known stage of which was the discovery by the son of a fanner of the district of Khushal’s battered body in a swamp. Police investigation’s led to the arrest on June 1 of Kite by Detective-Sergeant Nalder, who was in charge of the investigations. Accused was represented by Mr George Skelton, of Auckland, and the case for the Crown was conducted by Mr V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, of Auckland. Kite appeared on remand on a charge of murder, but Mr Meredith intimated this morning that the Crown would proceed only with a charge of manslaughter. Twenty-four witnesses are listed to be called, and the preliminary hearing is expected to occupy today and part of tomorrow. From Huntly in But Tall and heavily built, Kite was dressed in an open grey shirt, lumber jacket and heavy working trousers. The services of a Maori interpreter were required during the hearing, and this retarded the speed at which the evidence could be taken. The first witness was George Frederick Kurt Hufnagel Betham, surveyor, of Auckland, who gave details of the locality in Huntly West where the crime was alleged to have taken place. Photographs of the scene where the body was found were produced by Sergeant C. M. Francis, of the Auckland police. A Huntly busdriver, Harry Burton, said that on May 17 he took a load of passengers to the Renown Collieries, leaving Huntly shortly after 10 p.m. Rama Khushal was in the bus and alighted at his gate at about 11 p.m. He was carrying a sugar bag which appeared to contain groceries. On the return trip witness could see no light in Rama’s house, and he did not see anyone on the road. Sounds as of Quarrel Mrs Awaroa Quinn, of Whatawhata, said that in May she was staying at Waahi. On the night of 17th she walked to Waahi from Huntly. It was late, and while she was standing near her gate she heard mumbling voices, as if in a quarrel, coming from the direction of Rama’s hut. Two words in Maori were louder than the rest, they being “ Hopu ” and “ Patu,” meaning “ catch ” and “ hit ” respectively. She went into her house and had a cup of tea. On going out shortly afterward she again heard a voice, which cried out “ I got none,” and which sounded as though the owner were in difficulties. She stood on the verandah and heard a man’s voice call “ Help! Help!” This time the voice seemed to be gasping, and was in English. Witness did not see a light in Rama’: hut that night. Cry for Help Further evidence of having heard one cry for help early on the morning of May 18 was given by Bill Maru, a Renown Collieries trucker, who lived near Rama. The cry was given once and seemed to come from the direction of Rama’s hut. The next witness, Mrs Tia Wiremu, of Waahi Pa, said that after the pictures on the night of May 17 a number of visitors arrived at her house. John Kite and his sister were among them, and Kite went out with some of the other guests. He came back a good while after the others and appeared to be depressed and drunk. Kite and his sister went outside and witness could hear Kite crying. His sister persuaded him to return to the house, All the visitors except one named George Inia stayed at Waahi with witness that night. Blood on Overcoat A miner of Waahi, George Inia, said that on the afternoon of May 17 he had some drinks with Rama and Kite in the Huntly Hotel. Witness went home about 6 p.m., leaving Rama in Huntly. Late in the evening he heard a bus arrive at Waahi from Huntly, and he and his wife went over to Rama’s hut to see if they could get a drink. Rama gave them some drinks of wine from a bottle, and John Kite arrived with Sam Rehua and Martin Brown. They all had more drinks, but Rama did not have any. They paid Rama four shillings a bottle for the wine. All but Kite left Rama’s house. When witness saw Kite’s overcoat on Sunday there were blood marks near the bottom of it. Witness did not remember seeing marks previ ously. A cousin of accused, Sam Rehua, gave similar evidence of a visit to Rama’s hut, and said Kite was not very drunk when he returned to witness’ house. Witness saw blood on the sleeves of Kite's overcoat next day. In explanation Kite said he fell on the doorstep in Rama’s place and hit his nose on the door.