THE TE AROHA MURDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 278, 25 February 1881, Page 2

THE TE AROHA MURDER.

[by telegraph.] Gkahamstown, To-day. The evidence in the murder case was resumed to-day. Constable Cleary stationed at Te Aroha, deponed to having known prisoner previous to the murder. In consequence of information received he proceeded to the whare of accused, and found no one there. A blue dungaree jumper, a pair of trousers, and a checked shirt, which had apparently been recently washed, where hanging on sticks projecting from the roof of the whare, near the entrance. Examined them, and found blood

stains on the trousers, and ; ,alsc some on the jumper, which, however, were not so distinct as those on the trousers. In consequence of finding the clothes and of other information, proceeded in search of prisoner. Found him and said —“ I have come to arrest you on a charge of murdering a Maori last night. He said, “I know nothing about it,” hung down his head, and muttered something else. Searched him, and found on him a knife and a piece of quartz. Examined the knife, and inside the handle saw what I took took to be blood. The blade of the knife was sharp. Handcuffed the prisoner. He had a black eye and scratches over the temple and on his forehead. His nose was also bruised. Had seen prisoner the previous night (a little the worse for liquor) with deceased, and the men were quarelling about a horse. Deceased appeared sober, and spoke to me at ten minutes past ten on the night of the murder. The knife is, except for a little rust, the same as when taken from prisoner. John Moore, a mate of Procofly, deEoned to knowing accused four months efore going to Te Aroha. They lived together there. On the- night of the murder went to bed at 9 o’clock. Prisoner was absent till midnight, when he woke him asking the time. He afterwards went outside the hut, when accused appeared to be fixing something on the roof. Saw clothes hanging up, apparently newly washed. Next morning observed marks on the hands of Procoffy, but knew he had received injuries in the mine. He was usually of a quiet disposition, except while drinking. Had heard him threaten to cut people’s throats. deceased and accused together on the night of the murder. He retired to rest early, but was awoke about eleven o’clock by hearing a quarrel and a prolonged yell. He thought at first it was a woman’s voice, but recognised it as the Maori’s after a little. Heard a European’s voice, but did not recognise the words used. The distance from my tent to the place where the body was found is 517 yards. Knew accused had been fighting with Catran during the evening. Dr Huxtable deponed to making a post mortem examination of the body of deceased. Found an incised wound reaching from ear to ear, severing the bloodvessels and windpipe ; and a cutting instrument had been several times drawn through the wound. Some of the fingers were also cut, and there were severe bruises on the forehead. The gash on the throat was made after the man had been rendered insensible. Had made an investigation of the blood stains and a portion of coagulated blood on the knife, but could not say it was human blood.