Murder Trial On Niue
pp. 43-44 · Read in the full issue
From A Special Correspondent
Niue, Jan. 29.
A RECENTLY retired Auckland Magis trate, Mr. J. Morling, arrived at Niue on January Maui Pomare. to preside at the trial of Lakamu, a 19-year old native from the village of Lakepa.
Lakamu was charged with attempted murder, with a second charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a native con stable. For the purpose of the trial Mr.
Morling held the temporary status of a Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands. An Auckland Barrister, Mr. F.
D. Baxter, also arrived on the Maui Pomare to defend the accused.
The trial was held on January 24, and the charge of attempted murder was dis missed, but the accused was found guilty
on the second charge and sentenced to five years imprisonment which it is understood, will be served on the island.
Serious criminal offences are not fre quent at Niue and this is the first time a Magistrate has been needed on the island for a considerable time.
Raiu Isireli Tawake, formerly Roko Tui Ra and Roko Tui Tailevu died in Fiji on January 16, aged 62. He joined the Fiji Government Service in 1908 as a clerk in the Native Department and served in various clerical posts until he went to Europe with the Fiji Labour Corps in 1917. In 1924 he was appointed to act as Roko Tui Bua and then became Native
Assistant Commissioner, Lautoka. He was appointed Roko Tui Ra in 1925 and in 1937 was transferred to Bau as Roko Tui Tai JL evu - , He was awarded the Certificate of Honour in 1937 and for some years was one of the Fijian members of Legislative Council. He retired in 1946 and has been living at Bau.