MURDER NEAR PICTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3056, 12 April 1881, Page 3

MURDER NEAR PICTON.

[BY TELEGBAPH.]

Blenheim, April 12.

News was brought into Picton on Sunday evening that a murder had been committed at Wakawa. The facts to hand are that Rawerere Kipa quarrelled with his uncle Ropoama Penipeni. They had two successive fights on Saturday night, and in tbe last fight Peni became insensible, and died on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The police immediately proceeded to the spot, and arrested Rawerere at 12.30 yesterday morning. He was found hid in a hay-loft, and was very downcast. Jealousy is said to be the cause of the fight. THE INQUEST. The inquest on the body of Ropoama Penipeni was commenced at Picton yesterday before J. Allan, Esq., Coroner. The principal evidence taken was that of Nihana Pakira, who deposed : I know the deceased and the accused. I was at Ropoama's house on Saturday night. Rawiri and Ropoama were having words. 1 do not know what they were wrangling about. I saw Rawiri strike at Ropoama. They then fought, and I parted them. They had no weapon of any kind in their hands. I went home at 10 o'clock. I did not see any more quarrelling that night. Ropcama was all right when I went home. After I had been home some time I went outside and heard a noise. I walked down and saw Ropoama lying on bis back. I picked him up in my arms; he was bleeding from his mouth. He did not take any notice of me. When I picked him up his wife ran at me; she tried to strike her husband, but I pushed her away. Rawiri was close alongside. I took Ropoama to my house, and he never spoke after. When we found he was so bad the next day we washed him, and at 2 o'clock sent for the doctor. Mary Ropoama saw her husband after he was hrouaht to ray house. She dressed him. John Brenan, a half-caste lad, deposed : I was at Ropoama's house on Saturday night. Rawiri and Ropoama were fighting outeide. When I saw them Rawiri struck Ropoama and knocked bim down. He Btruck him again in his side when he was getting up, and when Ropoama was going to his house Rawiri bit him in the back. I could not see whether Ropoama was hurt. I went away for a few minutes, and came back. When I saw Ropama coming up to his wife, Rawiri got up and struck him. This was in the orchard. When Rawiri struck Ropoama he fell with his head against a stump. He did not get up again. I was close to thera. Nihana came and lifted Ropoama's head up on his lap. I did not see Ropoama attempt to strike a blow. Ido not know the cause of the quarrel. On Saturday the deceased and the prisoner appeared on friendly terms, but they had been drinking.

The iuquest will be resumed to' day