THE MAORI TRADEGY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1917, Page 3

THE MAORI TRADEGY.

Verdict ot Not Guilty.

AUCKLAND, May 29. The trial was concluded at the Supreme Court to-day of the eight natives charged with manslaughter by killing Mitai Apirahama at Victoria Valley on August 14th. 1913. Hie accused were all relatives of the deceased including his father. The case for the Crown was that the death occurred in a whare. Mitai being held down by the accused until ho was suffocated. Giving evidence for the Defence, Dr. Beattie Superintendent of the Avondalo hospital said that from tho description of deceased’s actions and manner ho believed that ho was insan*. The defence was that the nativeo oeieved that Mitai became mad and held him down to restrain him from in j cuing, th© children who were sleeping in the whare.

Mr. Ostler counsel for several of acctfeed said that on the advice of a woman now deajd, that accused had made a mistake of secretly burying Mitai’s body. After a retirement of twenty minutes the Jury returned a verdict ot no v guilty.

A tori SentencedAUCKLAND, May 29. A young Maori named Mot-u Kaire who was convicted last year with another native of common assault an Koiikohe, the original charge having been robbery with violence, was sentenced at til© Supremo Court. Justice Stringer remarked that the Prisoner was described as one of trie worst Moaris in the district. Tho police considered that ho would not hesitate to hold up a man and rob him. The other native had been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and Motu would he sentenced to the full term for common assault namely twelve months’ imprisonment.