MANGERE TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 890, 13 May 1903, Page 1

MANGERE TRAGEDY.

THE .STORY OF A MURDER (Auckland Herald )

The perpetrators <>i llie ttUoamis assault upon Mrs Sarah Morris, an octogenarian lady of independent means, who 'ived in .solitude in an out-of-the-way part of the quiet farming district of Mangere, are still at large. They are supposed to lie Maoris, but so far the police have not obtained a clue sufficiently tangible to justify them in making an acres 1.

Out beyond Ultimata Point, there is a spot fuT of scenic charm, and so situated as to command a magnificent view of the harbor. Here, a

<iuartei of a mile distant from any other dwe'ling place stands a phrin wooden livc-roomed cottage. A Jew chains away is Alunakau beach, and facing I lie building, Wceke’s Island rears itself up out of the sea. A lonelier little homestead is not to be found for miles around. Surrounding it is a wide expanse of scoria land, which is used as a grazing larm, the vegetables providing sustenance lor many cattle and sheep. Thu main road is a full mile away. Nature smiles serenely upon the scene, and the visitor becomes impressed with the idea that life amid such an environment; must lie as placid and as innocent as a child’s dreams. Many years ago, Isaac Morris, a retired master mariner, chose this place as a retreat, wherein to spend the declining years of a life of roving and adventure. In !S!IS, he died at. a ripe old age, and the house has since been occupied hy his widow, .Sarah Morris The old lady lived nil alone. There was no particular reason why she should have shut herself off from the world, but whon advised by the trustees of her husband’s estato (tho Rev. M. Kirkbride and Mr Westney) to live among friends, she would always shako her head and reply, “ No. My husband and myself took up this land together and turned it into a grazing farm. Horo I lived happily for a long time past, and am too old to desire a change.” Again and again it was pointed out to her that she would bo very isolated if in want of assistance through sudden illness, but she only shrugged her shoulders and alluded to her splendid constitution, which was, indeed, surprising in so old a lady. Scallywags and ne’er-do-wells' sometimes prowl about such solitary buildings, she was reminded, but without carrying conviction. Tho fact was the house and grounds wore full of memorios from which tho venerable occupant could not tear herself. Sentiment does not become extinguished easily in the breast of an allectionato woman, oven if she bo a widow with tho snows of moro than 80 yoars whitening hor hair. Sho was fearless because sho was herself incapable of any wrong. Kindly and bonovolcnt sho novor allowed an opportunity to do a good doed to pass hor by. On February 25 thcro crept into this Eden tho blood-stained figure of Gain, and tho harmless old lady, whoso big heart and open hand had won for hor the rospoct of all who know hor, was brutally battered about the head and body, sustaining injuries from which doath released her on Saturday last. Exactly what occurred, or with what object the murderous assault was made, has not yet boon made clear. Mrs Morris was known to koep sums of money ranging from .£2O to £4O in the house, and this may havo appoaled to tho cupidity of her assailants. Somo of tho facts connected with tho outrage—" murder ” the good folk of Mangoro call it, and they aro probably quite right in their definition were brought to light at an inquest held by Mr T. Hutchison, the magistrate [for the district, on Sunday last. Further evidence is, however, essential to a proper understanding of what transpired, and tho inquiry was, therefore, adjourned until next Monday. Meanwhile there [is a good deal of excitement in the district, and indignation is expressed at what, rightly or wrongly, tho Mangere people consider the dilatoriness of the local police in obtaining a working elue to the perpetrators of tho crime.

Mr Kirkbride, a church of England clergyman, was interviewed. Among other things he said : “ Mr Westney and myself have administered her husband's estate on Mrs Morris’ behalf. She was a membor of my congregation, and an old friend. She was greatly attached to the house in which she lived, notwithstanding its isolated position, and could not be induced to leave it. Her husband had a j stroke eight years ago, and died suddenly, and wo always feared something of the ] kind on her account. She was, however, £ an exceedingly healthy woman, and quite devoid of fear. At the time of the murder , —for such it really was, since Mrs Morris has since died—the old lady was living entirely alone. It took place on February ■>'>, but it was not until two days later that Mr Bonnie—a farmer, who rents the farm 'land which has been held in trust for Mrs Morris —called upon me to say that Mrs Morris was very ill. Accompanied by Mr Griffiths, the postmaster. I went to the residence of the old lady. We went into the kitchen and found a big pool of blood in the centre of the door ; the walls were reddened by blood. There were evidences of an ugly struggle, and 1 remarked i to my companion. 1 There has been murder. At my request the deceased was removed to the residence of Mr Mclntyre, where everything possible was done for her. Dr Scott was called in on February 26, the day that the outrage was discovered, and I understand that he called at the police station upon his return to Onehunga and gave information. There is some indignation in the neighborhood, in consequence of an idea that the police were very slow in getting to work on the crime. Yv e have reason to believe that the culprits were a couple of Maoris. Whether the evidence against these men would be sufficient to justify an arrest is more than I can say with any feeling of confidence, but something more should have been done to satisfy the public desire to unnvel the mystery. Curiously euough nothing seems to have been stolen from the bouse, although theft was probably the object of the outrage. The miscreants 1 may, however, have been scared away by an old dog who was kept about the place.