WITCHCRAFT AMONG THE NATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 147, 2 September 1880, Page 2

WITCHCRAFT AMONG THE NATIVES.

■ . Auckland, jiug. 31. An extraordinary statement has been made by some natives in.town. They say that a man named Hoard and his wife had been digging gum near -Point 1 Russell, in the. Waikato. The wife took ill, and ultimately died, but a story hebame current that she had been bewitched, ov makutued by her husband. The relations of the woman reside in the King country, and her two brothers came down for the purpose of killing the man supposed to be possessed of such dreadful power. They found him quietly digging forjgum. He was working near a large hole, and the men killed him with atomahawk,put him in the hole, and covered him up. They then returned to the King country, congratulating themselves ‘on having dona the State some service by ridding New Zealand of a man who might be the death of anybody whenever he ! took it into his head. These are the facts;' as stated by some natives in town yesterday, but probably it will not be thought worth while to enquire into the matter. ’* It‘may .be mentioned that, Wiremu Rewiti, a wellknown Kaipara. chief, is at present at Mechanics’ Bay, on his way to the King country. He has been ill for some time, and both he and his friends are convinced that he has been bewitched, and that his only chance, of. cure lies -in a visit to a priest resident amongst .the Kinghel,. who it is believed can remove the spell., .