New Plymouth Murder

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 54, 23 October 1890, Page 2

New Plymouth Murder

ACCUSED SENTENCED TCT DEATH* ( FEB UNITKD PRIBB ASSOCIATION, j Nbw Plvvouvh, October 21. In the murder trial the Judge summed up at great length. She jury retired at 4.30 p.m. to consider their verdict, and after an hour returned .to Court with a verdict of guilty, and a recommendation to mercy on account of his youth and his belonging to an alien race. In answer to the usual formula,, the prisoner said, " May I speak The Judge: Yes. Prisoner : Why ami I found guilty ? The Judge: The jury have found you guilty. The prisoner then stated : I wasn't there. When all is over I will say who was the person who did it. The reason I didn't speak before is because he is a Maori like myself. I did not speak before because I was in the hands of my lawyer who was defending me, and according to Native custom I wanted to defend the man who committed the crime. It is a Native custom to Bave your .own people if possible. This individual Drought me things for which I was taken to gaol. According to Maori custom, when a mail is condemned for what a relative does, he is to keep silent. His name is (name mentioned). It was he who lulled him. This ia all I have to say. He is the man who gave me the things, and he committed the crime. His Honor then addressed tbe accused as follows : — " Mahi Xshi, you have been found guilty of it*, crime of murder. You have had a most careful trial and a most inteU ligent jury, and. a most able counsel. I certainly agree with the verdict of the jury. The jury have recommended you to mercy on account of your youth, and on account of your being of the Native race.. That recommendation shall be sent to those who have, if they think fit, the power to act upon it. It does not rest with me. I have only to administer 'the sentence of the law." His Honor then sentenced the prisoner to deathOctober 22. The Minister of Justice has given j Mr Samuel permission to see Mahl Kai in gaol with reference to what he said yesterday before sentence was passed on him, when he accused another Maori of committing the. [murder. Council for the Crown is likely to accompany Mr Samuel. The statement of the prisoner is to be taken down in writing by an interpreter in the presence of the gaoler* In order to carry out Mr Higginson's scheme of drainage and water supply for Petone, the local Borough Council decided at its last meeting to raise a loan of £20,000. We (Manawatn Times) understand that the following polling booths will be gasetted in connection with the election for the Palmerston seat Longburn, Oroua Bridge, Foxton, Oroua Downs Homestead, Campbelltown* Sandon, Awahuri, BunnythorpeV Linton, Makerua, Shannon, Moutoa, Kereru, Levin, Ohau, Manakau, Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparanmu, Paikakanki Tbe programme for the thirteenth annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association has been issued, and the opening day of the meeting is fiied for Tuesday, 20th January, 1891. The total amount of prize money is £1,190, exclusive of belts, medals, shields, and other trophies, and also of prizes to be given in the Continuous Matoh and Running Men. This year bona fide membera of duly formed Rifle Clubs are to be allowed to compete ior the Championship* In the Interprov'ineial Teams' Match' the prize money is £50 to the winning team, and it is provided that three teams must compete. In the Companies' Team Matoh prizes valued at £150 are given. Martini. Henry rifles are to be used, and the longest range is 700 yards. Entries close at Napier on. 17th January, but post entries can' be made up to the day before i a match on the payment of an additional fee for the match. ■-■ '-. **