Murderer deserves 'to swing'

By RENEE KIRIONA

Shock has turned to anger for the people of a remote Hawkes Bay area who will farewell their friend Jack Nicholas today.

Hundreds of people are expected at the funeral of Mr Nicholas, 72, who was shot down in cold blood at his farm in Puketitiri, 60km north of Napier, last Friday.

Yesterday more than 80 residents - at least half of the farming community - turned out to a meeting in their tractors and mud-covered 4WDs.

At Patoka Memorial Hall their tears turned into scathing words for Mr Nicholas' killer.

Pam Turner, a close friend of Mr Nicholas, said the meeting gave residents the chance to say what was on their mind.

"I'm angry, we're all angry. How dare someone come in here and do that to Jack.

"Last Friday we were all in shock and there was total sadness, but today we are angry because a good bloke has been taken before his time.

"All I have to say to the killer is exactly what Jack would have said to such a person: you deserve a swing on a short rope."

Helen Halliday said she had arranged the meeting because many people in the community were struggling to come to terms with the death.

"I saw that some people weren't handling things well. Some of the farmers, grown men, have been bursting into tears because of this."

Several police officers and a Victim Support volunteer also attended.

Senior Constable Robbie Campbell told those gathered that the inquiry depended on their help. "We need all of you if we are to find Jack's killer."

Detective Inspector Godfrey Watson, who heads the inquiry, said there were still no firm leads but that police believed the killer had a good knowledge of the area, particularly Mr Nicholas' farm.

"It's likely that the person knew the area and that they had experiences with Jack in the past. It could also be someone who used to live or work in the area."

Asked if he thought the offender was a local, he said: "Not necessarily. The person could have driven there on the day of the shooting."

This week the Nicholas family gave police detailed aerial photographs and maps of the farm.

Today more than 30 police officers will patrol the Puketitiri area while locals attend the funeral.

"There's some concern about security on the farms so we will be increasing our presence in that area," Mr Watson said.

Brian Miers, who has a farm near the Nicholas house, said increasing security had been discussed at the meeting.

"Because of this a lot of people are thinking about getting surveillance cameras and beefing up our neighbourhood watch system.

"A lot of us have also realised how vulnerable we are out here, but then that's a fact of life when living in an isolated area."

The funeral will take place at 1pm in Taradale, near Napier.