THE OPUNAKE TEAGEDY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2112, 30 November 1880, Page 3

THE OPUNAKE TEAGEDY.

STARTLING EVIDENCE. THE MURDER CONFESSED. [FSB PBMS ASSOCIATION SPBCIAIi WIBB.J OPUNAKE, November 29. When the jury met at 8 a.m. to-day they were informed by the coroner that further evidence, which would take at least two hours to obtain, would render another adjournment absolutely necessary. Mr Hursthouse stated that to ride to the pah would take at least an hour, and it might require more than an hour •to return if tho man he (Hursthouse) wanted was obstinate. Yesterday a coat was found by Constable Taylor in Tuhi's whare with blood stains on both sleeves and on the breast. It is believed that the present adjournment is in connection »ith obtaining further evidence at Punehu pah. It is understood that no • signs of attempted rape were found by the doctor. Subsequently the inquest was continued. Wilson Hursthouse deposed—The body was found 42yds from the edge of the metal on the main road. I observed blood on the flax bush within 3yds of the road. I had a conversation with Tuhi to-day. He was wearing tho same trousers at the time I had last seen him.

Hone Pihama pointed out the spot where the black horse was tied up, which was not more than 40yds from where t'ie body was found. Sergeant MoKeon depoeed—l met Walter •Stannard on the evening of the murder. His horse's nose was bleeding at the time. _ I notioed that his clothes were smeared with blood, and there was also a small piece of :JHax in Stannard's boot. Sergeant G-lebert deposed—My wife and I searched the body of deceased. There was a bone bracelet on the wrist, and a ring on the finger, but nothing in tho pockets of the dress, but I omitted to examine the poakets of tho overskirt. Sergeant Day deposed—l examined tho trousers that Tuhi had on whon arrested. They were torn. I found stains of blood on the crutch of the trousers, also on the right knee. Also found a long human hair attached to the trousers, in my opinion from an European. It corresponded in colour and texture with the hair on deceased's head. I examined the person of Tuhi, and found an old wound on the outside of the ankle of his light foot. It would seem to bo about a week old. I noticed on the leg of the trousers •{moleskin No. 1), on the outside a quantity of blood and other matter such as would correspond with this wound. I arrested both prisoners, but neither of them made any reply when charged with the offence. The hair I found is about five inches long. Aubrey Harvey, ostler—l recognise the bridle last produced as tho one I lent prisoner.

By the foreman—Was that the coat that prisoner wore on the 25th ? Witness—lt was very similar to that with tide pockets. He had 'parcels in his pockets. A flask of brandy fell out of his hand, I did not see a bar of soap, but he might have had a cake of soap in his pooket. About twelve o'clock he was wearing a hat. Examined by Sergeant-Major Bullen— Prisoner struck a match in the stable. The box was a threepenny box of matches. I folt awe that it was a new box, as it appeared full of blue-headed matches. Prisoner seemed in a hurry. He went south towards Emanuel Bay ley's. Martin Coffey, storekeeper, recal'od—l saw accused frequently on the 25th. During the day he said he had no money several times. He spent no money and had no stores previous to his return to Opunake with Hone Pihama about 430. Since my previous examination I believe I recollect having served him with a tin box of matches for threepence. I also believe that he paid me for it with a threepenny piece. In my stook we have only blue-headed matches, and I could have sold no other. It is possible that the threepenny piece received from Tuhi would remain in my possession from the 25th up till this (Monday) morning, but it is unlikely. I gave Carey a threepenny piece since as change. This is the coin (banded in). [lt had marks which are believed to be blood, and scratches apparently made in attempts to obliterate the stains.] Witness continued—Carey drew my attention to the time when the deceased Miss Dobie purchased a lead pencil like the one produced. I gave her as change out of sixpence a threepenny piece and two English half-pennies. I met Tuhi on the 25th after 5 p.m., and he came back with me to my ■tore. He was asking for matches and other things to be put down to bis credit, but I refused to give him any credit. He was in the ehop a little longer, and he then asked for a paper box of matches, and I gave him one. They cost one penny each. He tendered an English half-penny, saying that he had no more money. I told him to go home, and accepted the money. By Jurors—l give and accept tokens, but to a lady should give small change, silver or English money. lam sure that I took this threepenny piece between Thursday and today. Constable McCarthy, sworn—l had dealings with Tuhi for a bay horse about six weeks ago. At that time the horse had broken its bridle, which was old and rotten, and was mended at the throat-band with a string of flax like the piece produced. I believe this to be the bridle which was on prisoner's horse at the time I tried to mend it, six weeks ago. I again saw this bridle when found before Tuhi was arrested, and, as soon as I saw it, I said, " That is tho head-stall of the bridle which was on the Maori's horse which I was trying to buy some time ago." I did not remember the Maori's name. Prisoner is the same man. I knew he was suspected when I first recognised tho bridle. Tuhi asked tho witness—When did you first see me with that bridle ? Constable McCarthy—l saw the bridle when you were selling the bay horse. Prisoner—Why do you think this bridle is the same as the one on my hoii^P Witness—l chiefly noticed the throat band, which is similar. Prisoner—Did I sell you the horse ? Witness—No. Constable Boss deposed This bridle (handed in J was put on the prisoner's horse when arrested, by his father. Prisoner saddled his own horse. Previous to the inquest resuming, I heard that a threepenny piece had been found by Mr Coffey, scraped, as though to clean it, but a slight stain was still ahowing, as though of blood. A threepenny . piece had been tendered to Miss Dobie by Mr Coffey in change for sixpence, tendered as payment for a pencil bought by her on starting for her walk on the afternoon of the murder. Constable Knowles recalled I visited Tuhi's whare yesterday. This coat was found (handed in) in the whare. Passing by the guard tent on my return I noticed the coat Tinder the constable's arm, and he (prisoner) said in English, " That is my coat." I saw stains, believed to be blood, on the cuff, sleeve, and tail of the coat. It was not concealed, and does not appear to have been washed. Mr H. Middleton recalled—l recognise the coat as the one worn by the prisoner, but do not think it was worn by him on Thursday morning. I saw the prisoner Tuhi take his coat off between one and two o'clock. The coat he was then wearing seemed heavier. I could not swear positively that he was not wearing this coat. I saw no money on him that day. Constable Taylor, re-called, said—Prisoner ■was wearing that coat on Thursday last when I saw him. I think the stains are blood. I consider this a light double-breasted tweed coat. Prisonor further directed me to his whare. lam quite sure he waß wearing this coat. Prisoner's wife said that Tuhi brought home nothing but a bar of soap. Constable Bos?—I found the piooe of bridle produced about five yards from where the body was discovered on the 26th. The hair on the iron band appears to be off a bay horse.

The inquest was adjourned, and on resuming at 2 p.m. the jury requested to be allowed to inspect the pockets of deceased's clothing moro particularly. Mr Coffey, ro-called, in answer to a juryman, said —I havo had no accident to my hand within the last four days to cause blood to flow. Bona Matui, swore, said—l know Tamati Kaweroru. He lives at Matakai, about half a mile from the Telegraph Hotel. He is deaf. I was at Tamati's whare on the evening of the 25th. I was going in the direction of Tamati's when I was overtaken by Tuhi. I asked Tuhi to go with me to Tamati's whare for food, and we went together. Tuhi ato there. He looked unnatural. I observed that he was frequently looking at the door. Tamati esked him to remain there all night. I ■did not remain long, and I left Tuhi behind me. I had seen him earlier in the day at the bar

of the hotel. It was after Taylor's boat came horn, the ateamer, and Taylor and others had come up to the hotel. I remember the trowsers (No. 1) moleskins. Tuhi was wearing them when I saw him. at the hotel. I cannot say whether he was wearing them at Tamati's whare, because it was dark. I did not notice his coat. I noticed the trowsers, because Tuhi had a swelled foot. The foot was notioed by witness and witness'father. They asked him what was the matter with his foot, and this oalled attention to his trowsers. I do not know if he had two pairs on, but I am certain that he had moleskins on. I know they are Tuhi's, because they are moleskins, and they were then torn at the knees, but not like they are now. I did not observe his skin. I saw no blood on them like they are now. I saw Hone Pihama and party arrive in Opunake. Tuhi used one of Tamati's knives to eat with. I saw prisoner between the time of Hone Pihama's leaving and on going to Tamati's. I was not then drunk. It was daylight. He had not those trowsers on. I did not observe him particularly that time, but I think he had trowsers on. He certainly had not the moleskin trowsers on at that time. Hone Pihama was there, but I could see he had not the trousers on that he had in the morning. Prisoner had rags on his ancle. To prisoner—Yes, you overtook mo, went to Tamati's, and had some food. By a Juror —A woman named Mihi was in the whar 3 at the time.

Constable Whatarau deposed—l saw prisoner about half-past eleven on the 25th. He had then on a pair of moleskin trousers, and also another pair underneath. I can identify the outside pair. The leg of the outside pair was torn, and I Baw the striped patch on th c front of the leg of the underneath pair. He also wore the hat which is on the table. He had this coat on. f This was tho coat about which tho other witnesses were doubtful as to its identification.] Tuhi had a shirt on. It was not like the one he now has on. I did not see prisoner after 11.20, a m., but heard him talking in Tamati's house that evening. Ido not know any particular mark on this pair of trousers. They were not so much torn as now, but were most torn in the seat and left leg, and no blood was on them. I would recognise this pair from others equally dirty and torn by this particular tear on the loft leg. Mihi, wife of Tamati, sworn—l remember Tuhi and Rona Matu (Matthews) ooming to my whare on Thursday evening and having food. Tuhi appeared all right and not excited. It was dark and I did not notice his clothes. Tuhi left first and Bona remained. (This is the reverse of what Rona said.) Tamati Kaweroa, husband of the last witness,, said—Rona and Tuhi came to my whare together on Thursday. It was dark when they sat with me. I told Tuhi to sleep there that night. I did not hear Tuhi answer. Tuhi had on trousers, coat, and hat. After the meal, Rona, who arrived drunk, left, and Tuhi did not stay long after. Rona left when asked to stop. He looked frequently out of the door, otherwise he looked as usual. By the prisoner—Rona arrived first at my (Tamati's) whare. Rona went away first. I do not know which of you asked Mihi, to see him home.

On leaving the box, witness said, "If yon will give me a few sheets of paper I will write an address to the Governor on this subject." Emanuel Bayley, storekeeper—l saw the prisoner first on the forenoon of Thursday. I am certain that is the coat worn by the prisoner. I know the ooat, because I sold it to him. He had on a pair of trousers, bnt I cannot say of what kind. Prisoner first came to my store about 8 p.m. on horseback. He then wanted a bottle of grog. He wanted goods also, but I refused. He then said, " Good night," and left. He had no goods from my store that day. John Stevenson—The prisoner Stannard hod engaged to look for a stray horse of mine near Witoria, about eight miles from Opunake. I passed Stannard near the telegraph office at Opunake on the 25th. In the evening I saw Stannard again at the hotel table on my returning. There was blood on his coat. He told me that his horse had fallen when he was trying to catoh a led horse which had got away from a constable to whom Stannard had given the led horse to hold. Stannard showed me a cut on the horse's nose. He said he had caught his own horse, but had not fonn . mine. Stannard said he had met a young lady somewhere near Te Ngamu after one o'clock. I went forward to Te Ngamu with Stannard and Newman. Near the telegraph office I met a person who said that Miss Dobie had been found with her throat cut. Stannard was excited, and took his knife and said that no one would attack him with that weapon in his hand. He also said that if he had a good horse he would catch the murderer, whoever he might be. Shortly after we met Constable Wilson, who asked Stannard to return to Opunake with him. The cut on the horse'e nose might have been caused by a fall.

Takurangata sworn—l reside at Normanby. I was driving on the 25th with Hone Pihama'a party from Parihaka, and saw a black horse on the seaward side of the road near Te Ngamu, about sixty yards from the road. I saw the saddle on the horse, but could not see if the bridle was on, as the back of the horse was towards me. The horse now shown seems in size and color to bo about the same as the one I saw tied in the flax. The saddle looked dark and old like the one produced. I did not stop to look at the horse, but while looking at the borse I saw a black curly haired dog, and I then turned and looked straight back. The dog seemed about eighteen inches high. It came out of the flax from the direction of the horse. The dog was exactly like those with long ears (Major Goring's spaniel produced) : we then drove on towards Opunake at a gentle trot. I first saw Tuhi on the other side of the second culvert from Opunake, where we pulled up for a little. He was riding on a black horse, and he overtook us there. I don't know where Tuhi came from. He had on moleskin trousers. Both pairs of trousers might be called moleskins, No. 2 being patohed with coloured moleskins. He had a coat on, but I do not know what sort of coat. I noticed that his trousers were torn, because Tuhi kept on pulling down the right leg of the trousers, which was tied round with flax. He wore a hat like the one produced. I do not know how far a mile is. I refer you to Mr Hursthouse ; he can tell you how far the place is where Tuhi joined us from Te Ngamu. Mr Hursthouse—lt is about a mile this side of Te Ngamu. Witness continued—l heard no one ask Tuhi where he came from. The inquest was then adjourned.

On resuming at 7 o'clock, Superintendent James, sworn, said —I inspected the body on Saturday last. I took samples of hair from the head of deceased. Her back hair is a shade darker than the hair on the forehead. It is both in color and texture like the hair produced by Constable Dale, whioh was found on the olothing of the prisoner. The body when examined by me was at the redoubt. Prisoner Tuhi at this stage of the proceedings asked if he might come near the police and shorten the talk.

Mrs Ebott, sworn, deposed—l saw the body of the deceased at the redoubt. I was present when the body was examined. I feund a pocket handkerchief and lead pencil but no money. The dress was much stained with blood. I was too nervous to notice any blood on the articles taken from the dress pocket. I did not notice a stain of blood on the pocket of the drees. There was a collar on the dress (produoed). It is now in the same state as when taken off. I noticed a out in it when taking it off. Dr. Carey, sworn, said—l oame to the redoubt on Friday, the 26th. I searched the body of Miss Dobie with the assistance of Mrs Ebett. I examined the artioles in the pocket. Found no blood, but there is a stain of blood on the pocket, whioh might have been communicated from some portion of the dress. (The collar, red with blood, was here produced). I observed a punctured cut in collar. I found a corresponding wound in the neck of deceased. Judging from the punoture I should say that it was made by an instrument about half an inoh in width. I found a large wound immediately below the lower jaw four inches in extent. The whole of the throat was cut down to the vertebral column. Two attempts appeared to have been made to cut the throat. A seoond wound had been made about two inches below the angle of the lower jaw. There wos another transverse wound about an inch and a half in extent, also two other small wounds, one half an inoh and one five eighths as long. Abreast of the lobe of the right ear was a slight superficial wound on the left of the neck, two inches above the clavicle. These were all the wounds on the nock. There was also a wound on the seoond finger of the right hand about an inoh long. Death was the result of these wounds. I examined every

[part of the body, and am positive that no attempt at violence had been made. The underclothing was intact. Most of the wounds wero on the right side. The knife, mirked "T. H." (prodoced), has in my opinion blood stains on it. That knife would inflict the injuries described. I received chunge fromjlVlr|Ooffey this morning, sixpence and a threepenny piece. I notioed that the latter had been scraped, as if to erase something which I took to be blood. I cannot say in what position the may have bean whon the wounds were inflicted. _ She would have been able to walk after receiving the smaller wounds on the neck, but not after the larger. The first wound was a combina. tion of stabs and cuts. Judging by the cut in tho collar the wound could not be made by a larger knife than this. lam oonfident that the wounds wore not self inflicted. The knife produced is sharp enough to cause such wounds. The ring fitted lightly on the finger of deceased. The stain on the pocket might have been caused by a bloody hand stuck into it, but then I showed other articles stained. I have examined the stain on tho right leg of the moleskin trousers found at the soene of the murder. Contaot with an old sore would produce such stains. I have inspected the right ancle of the prisoner Tuhi, and I found such a sore as would correspond with the position of the stain on the trousers. I probed my finger into the wound opposite the hole in the collar to a depth of three inches. The body would become 'nearly cold within three or four hours.

Sergeant-Major Bullen stated that that was the whole of the evidence that the police had to bring forward. The coroner procoodod to road over tho wholo of the evidence taken to refresh the memories of the jurors. Some of the jurors thought such a courso unneoossaiy, and the ooronor did not press tho matter. He was prepared to leave it in their hands. The minutes of the evidence would bo placed in their hands.

With regard to Stannard the jury gave their vordiot as follows :—rlt is the unanimous opinion of the jury that there is no evidence whatever against Stannard, and it is their wish that he should be at once released.

Sergeant-majorßullen produced an affidavit from Mr Cook, of the Empire Hotel, Hawera, accounting for some of the blood found on the clothes of Mr Stannard.

The Coroner said—l congratulate you. You leave this room entirely free, without any stain on your character.

The Maori confessed " I did it" when Mr Hurstliouse asked him if he had any statement to make. He was fairly warned before he confessed. He said, "It was done by me." Mr Hurathouae said, "Do you know what you have really. said ? Do you know your position?" Tuhi said, "I know; I killed the woman. It was a great sin or crime. I know it." Tho Oaroner then said, " I do not think' under the circumstances, that I can ask the gentlemen of the jury to do anything. This is not like a Court of law or the Supreme Court, and I think I can hardly ask you for anything further." The excitement was intense. The interpreter faltered and was deeply moved, as was the coroner. The murderer appeared more calm than most of those in Court. OPUNAKE, November 30. Last night, after the committal, the prisoner said, "I do not wish for any more trial. I want to meet my death here now." Hand* cuffs were then put on him, the prisoner preserving the same calmness, and looking at all round him straight in the face.