TRAGEDY ON FARM

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 4

TRAGEDY ON FARM

MAORI WOMAN KILLED STEPFATHER IN HOSPITAL The death of a young Maori woman was reported to the Hamilton police on Saturday from Otorohanga, the circumstances pointing to a domestic tragedy. Inspector G. B. Edwards and Detective-Sergeant W. R. Murray, of Hamilton, proceeded to Otorohanga to carry out investigations. The victim was: Rita Emery, aged 19, single. Later in the day Joe Kino, a Maori aged 35, stepfather of the young woman, was admitted to the Waikato hospital suffering from extensive wounds in the throat. The scene of the tragedy is about seven miles south-east of Otorohanga township, near a block of land known as the Soldiers’ Settlement. Kino had been working for a settler nearby and it is alleged that a dispute occurred in his home, resulting in a savage attack on the woman, severe head injuries being inflicted. The inquiries by the police led to the decision to send Kino to hospital. His injuries were regarded as not likely to be fatal, though he had lost a good deal of blood. Rita Emery’s injuries were so extensive that she must have died soon after they were inflicted.

Detective-Sergeant Murray is continuing the inquiries in the district.