THE MURDER AT TE AROHA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2176, 15 February 1881, Page 3

THE MURDER AT TE AROHA.

[■pßß PBKBB ASSOCIATION ]

OBAHAM3TOWN, February 14. The body of the Maori murdered at Te Aroha was found by the side of the road leading to Paoroa. The head had been severed almost from the body by a fearful gash, and the gaping wound was a terrible spectacle. The skull was almost battered in, and there were several deep outs on the face and neck, apparently inflicted by some jagged icatrume'nt. The murdered man was named Hintons (Bimon), and was a member of the Ngatikoi tribe. There are some doubts as to how the fractures on the skull were caused, some people alleging that they were caused by a conical stone which was found close by deceased covered with gore, while others are of opinion that the wounds were caused by a tomahawk. From the fact of the fern being trampled it would seem that a struggle had taken place, and the murdered man (who was probably unarmed) fought hard for his life. Himiona’s coat and hat were found in the middle of the road, also an amber mouthpiece, with a silver ferrule attached, and a white handkerchief spotted with blood. The pockets of the deceased’s trousers were turned inside out, the motive of the murderer having been robbery. The police later in the day found at the tent of a man named Procoffy, a native of Finland, some newly-washed clothes still wet with stains on them, which are believed to belong to Proooffy. He ;had been quarrelling with the murdered man on the previous night, hence suspicion falls upon him. Oa being charged with the murder the accused replied, “I don’t know anything about it. I did not do it.” He appeared much excited when asked questions, but answered without any hesitation. Accused is a man of small proportions, and from his appearance is not likely to have committed the crime. He has been working in the Sunbeam claim. The Natives are greatly incensed at the murder. On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held at Te Aroha before Mr Kenriok,R.M. The evidence showed that deceased and the prisoner were not on friendly terms, and had quarrelled on the day of the murder- The medical testimony showed that the wound was made by a sharp instrument, which had been dragged backwards and forwards across the throat of deceased. Some bruises were also found on the prisoner. The medical man could not say if the stains on the clothes were blood until they were subjected to microscopic observation. After half an hour’s deliberation the jury returned a verdict —“ That the deceased, Himiona Hears, was found foully murdered by some person or persons unknown.” The circumstantial details of the case are most suspicious. There is a feeling here that the inquiry has been brought to a too abrupt termination. The prisoner vras afterwards brought up before Mr Kenriok, charged with the wilful murder of Himiona, and remanded to Qxahamstown for eight days.