THE TRAGEDY NEAR OPUNAKE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2111, 29 November 1880, Page 2

THE TRAGEDY NEAR OPUNAKE.

EUBTHEB PAETICULAE3. fPKB PBBBS ASSOCIATION SPKCIAX WISE.] WELLINGTON, November 27. A telegram has been received from Opunaketo the effect that a Native named Tuhia baa been arrested for the Opunake murder, and that it is likely that strong evidence will bobrought against him. NEW PLYMOUTH, November 27. Beferring to the Taranaki murder the “ Taranaki Herald” says:—‘‘The spot isabout a hundred yards from an uninhabited pah at Te Ngamu, on a road leading to a bay of the same name, into which a stream called the Otohi runs. Te Ngamu is about forty* seven miles from New Plymouth, and about a mile from Opunake, the Government township. It is the plane where the Opunake Flax Company had their works. The land towards the sea is much broken, and thickly covered with flax, small wood, and undergrowth, which reaches to the edge of the stream. The spot is a very lonely one, and where such an atrocious crime could be committed with impunity. Miss Mary Dobie we learn was about twenty-six years of age. She hod pleasing features, and was a most intelligent young lady. She excelled as an artist, and several of her sketches have appeared from time to time in the “ Graphic ” newspaper. The “ Herald’s ” special telegraphs A pair of pants much torn and smeared with blood were found yesterday concealed in a flax busb close by the spot of the murder, also part of an old bridle newly broken. So intense is the excitement at Opunake, that crowds of people are seen all day long going to and from the scene of the murder. Nows has just been received that the counterpart of the broken bridle has been found this morning. The “Herald” sayss—A report reached town this afternoon that a Native has been arrested on suspicion. An order was received from the authorities to send out several B.M. indictment forms, and also Johnston's “Justice of the Peace,’' from which we infer that it ia probable that one or more of the persons under arrest will be committed under the Coroner’s warrant. We hear that Wiremn Eingi, of Timura, was ts.ken to see the body of the unfortunate young lady, and was asked his opinion as to whether it was the act of a Maori. The old chief shook bis head, and replied in the negative, saying that Maoris did not kill in that way. Dr. Gibbs (late of Napier, is the Coroner.

THE INQUEST. OPUNAKE, November 28. Tha inquest on the body of the murdered Miss Dobie was commenced at 6 o’clock on Saturday and proceeded until midnight, when it was adjourned until Monday morning. Inspector James and Sergeant-Major Bulien are conducting the case, assisted by Sergeant. Cahill and others. The evidence is not favourable to Tuhia (the Native arrested on suspicion). On the day of the murder he was eeou riding in the direction Mias Dobie want. A pair of moleskin trousers, saturated with blood, were found within three yards of the body and were sworn to be similar to what the prisoner wears. The trousers he wore when arrested had blood on them, and a human hair, corresponding in color and texture to that of the deceased. Prisoner is supposed to have had two pairs of trousers on, a moleskin outside, which he is supposed to have thrown away, corresponding with the one found. Hone Pihama and soma people were passing by the scene when his daughter exclaimed, “ There is ahorse, saddle and bridle.” No persen noticed it at the time, and subsequently hearing of the crime, he at once, in company with.

Mr Hnrsthonse and Colonel Roberta, proceeded to the spot, and, strange to say, in pointing out where the horse was tied, it turned out to be nearly the exact spot where the body was found. The horse proved to be black, and similar to the one ridden by the prisoner on that day to Opunake. A knife bearing signs of blood was found near the same place with “T. H.” on the handle, which looks like his. The following is a brief condensation of the evidence. Twenty-six witnesses were examined and a large number, including the doctor, have yet to bo examined. Major Goring, inspector in charge at Opunake, deposed—Miss Mary Dobie was a spinster, aged nineteen. I last saw her on the morning of the 25th. Her body was found by a search party at 9 30. The body was lying abont a mile and a quarter from Opunake, and was cold. Deceased wore little jewellery, and did not carry much cash, and what she wore was found on the body. Her clothes were much disarranged. At this stage the prisoners, the European, Stannard, and Tuhia alias To Karia, a Maori, were brought in and charged with the murder.

Mr Wilson Hursthouae was sworn as interpreter, and the evidence taken was translated and read to both prisoners. W. Eyes, foreman of the jury, deposed—l saw Miss Dobie bring a pencil to have it sharpened at the store on the 25th and proceed along Taranaki road. I saw the Maori prisoner about half an hour later riding a black horse in the same direction. I observed that the prisoner had apparently two pairs of trousers, an old ragged moleskin outside. I wondered where he was going riding so fast. I saw him later at my whare, about four and a half miles south of Opunake. The prisoner appeared frightened. He saw me. Thomas Reilly, laborer, deposed—l left my work, about six miles north of Opunake, to come to town for provisions. I arrived there about 2 30. Met Constable McGrath and the prisoner Stannard on the road about one and a half miles from whore the body was found. I did not meet a lady on the road. At 440 I returned to my place of abode. On my return I met Stannard leading a horse and riding a bay horse. The led horse was restive. Constable McGrath—l left Opunake with Stannard, and passed a young lady with two black dogs about forty yards from the Telegraph office. I travelled with Stannard about eight miles. I saw no blood on Stannard at that time. We arrived at Bishop’s, Wilhora, about 3.30. Constable Wilson deposed—There was a hat underneath the body when found. A pair of trowsers were found in a flax bush about three yards from the body. They were cut and much stained with blood. The rowsers were produced, and were much cut and stained. Constable Towsland deposed—l was present when Hickey found the hat, and when the bridle was found. Constable Hawden deposed—l met Stannard on the 25th near To Haurn, leading one horse and riding another. There was no bridle on the led horse. About 5 p.m. I was searching for Miss Dobie, and oooeyed several times, and noticed the dogs. They came from where the laly was afterwards found. Constable Taj lor—l know Tnbia. I noticed

him on the 25th with two pairs of trousers on. The inside trousers were like dark tweed. One pair of trousers came so low down that I could not see any cut on the ankle. Prisoner then had a light coat on, not like the present one. Tuhia here said—“ No, this is not the coat I then wore." Mr Eyes, re-called, said—l do not recognise the trousers produced as Tuhia’s. His were not so muoh torn then. Constable Shearman—l saw Tuhia wearing a pair of very ragged tweed trousers about at 6 a.m. at Opunake on the 25tb. He had only one pair on then. It would not be necessary for him to come along the main road to reach Opunake from To Ngamu. Prisoner was then riding a black horse. Caroline Puki deposed—On the 25th I was coming from Parihaka in the afternoon. 1 ■aw a black horse tied up near Te Ngamu. I saw no one near the horse. The hotelkeeper at Opunake would know the ' time I arrived. I do not know the time. The horse produced is very muoh like the horse I saw near the scene of the murder.'at the second bridge from here. I did not see him come to the road. HoniPihama deposed—l first heard Tuhia speak behind ue on Thursday afternoon, when I was driving into Opunake. He asked me on arrival to bring him a pair of trousers. I did not bring him a pair. I cannot say whether when Tuhia first spoke he was on foot or on horseback. Mr Middleton, hotel-keeper, Opunake—l believe Tuhia had two pairs of trousers ou. I think it was after dinner that he said he wonted to go to TeNgamu for a horse. 1 did not see him again until about half-past four, when Honi Pihama arrived. Prisoner asked for a flask of brandy, which he took into the stable and there broke it. He kept on asking me to buy him a pair of moleskins. He also asked me to lend him a bridle, ae his was broken. Prisoner appeared quite sober. Prisoner did not ask for the trousers before returning with Honi Pihama. Martin ‘Coffey, storekeeper, deposed—l believe that the trousers produced (No. 2) were the pair Tuhia was wearing. Miss Dobia came in and bought a pencil from my shop. Tuhia appeared under the influence of drink.

Other evidence was given by thia witness, which corroborated what was previously adduced. A. Harvey, servant at the hotel, deposed— I saw Tuhia about eleven o’clock on Thursday. He was then on foot. I saw him fre- * quently up till 1 p.m., but not later until evening, when he came to the stable for a bridle. I lent him an old bridle, but none of the broken pieces produced correspond with the one I lent him. He had trousers on similar to the out ones produced first. I noticed his dress at 11 a.m. in the morning. Constable Knowles deposed—We brought Tuhia from Punehu on Friday. I did not search the prisoner. We halted three times, and the last time prisoner could have got rid of anything. P. Hickey deposed—l am eleven years old. I found a knife with one blade on or near the place where Constable Knowles said he stopped with the Maori prisoner yesterday, about seventeen yards from the exact place. I saw blood on the knife when 1 picked it up. My father said it was blood. The knife has T.H. out on the handle. Constable Knowles corroborated and the father of the boy, O. Hickey, gave similar evidence. Dr. Carey deposed—l received the knife produced, and it has what I take to be blood stains on the blade. I produce it in the state in which I received it. The news to-day is to the effect that the prisoner is a tall fine looking man, about twenty, and is now downhearted and has been crying. It is said that a cut in the collar of the dress worn by Mias Dobie exactly corresponds with the blade of the strong brown handled knife found and produced. To-day a stained blanket has been picked up in an old where at To Ngamu. Slood has been found-on the knee and seat of the pair of tweed tronsers found on Tuhia when arrested. To-day a careful search of the ground is being made, and a coat has been found which is supposed to belong to Tuhia. Therearenoparticulars about this yet. Staunard -accounts for the blood on his coat by his horse having hit him after hurting its nose. The horse’s nose was certainly bleeding. Constable Day gave evidence that a large stain was found on the moleskin trousers found which corresponded with and was suoh as would be caused by a sore which is still running on Tubia’s ankle.