MURDER BY THE MAORIS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2033, 30 August 1880, Page 2

MURDER BY THE MAORIS.

The Huntley correspondent of the “ Waikato Times" -writing on August She 19th says:—An old Maori man named Hone has been murdered under the following circumstances:—lt seems that the old man in question belonged to the Ngapuhi, but haa’resided with the Ngatihapes, Lower Waikato, for many years, and by them he was looked upon as a slave. It was suspected that he possessed the power of a “makutu,” that is, of bewitching, and he is said to have caused great trouble amongst them. The Maoris had frequent meetings to consider how Hone was to be got rid of, and, although many suggestions were made, no one cared to take the initiative. Some three months ago two of the Ngatihapes, named respectively Eapoto and Toe, were going out pighunting, and they pressed the old man Hone to go with them. He consented. They (the three) started, and after travelling some distance Indian file—Toe in front, Hone in the centre, and Eapoto behind—Toe went off the track into the fern, thus giving Eapoto a chance to do the bloody work. Eapoto fired, hitting the old man in the back, but the wound was not mortal, as Hone ran crying he was being murdered, and that he would “ makutu ” (bewitch) them all. Eapoto, however, reloaded bis gun, and following the poor fellow up, shot him dead. They then dragged the body into the swamp, where it was trampled in. Eapoto and Joe returned to their homes (near Whangape Lake) where they said the old man Hone ran away into the bush, which explanation was considered satisfactory by the other Natives. Nothing of the truth transpired until Saturday last, when a Native to whom Joe told the above particulars, informed me. I have since learnt that Eapoto and Joe have gone to the Hauhaua. I believe the above to be strictly true, as I know two of the Natives concerned