SHOCKING MURDER AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 181, 14 December 1880, Page 3

SHOCKING MURDER AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Tilk schooner Omaha arrived in Lyttelton on Saturday last from Chatham Islands, bringing news of a brutal murder committed there on 19th November, as well as the murderer, who has been committed for trial at the ensuing session of the Supreme (Ymrt in Christchurch.

Prom M. Walker Hood, who came up in the schooner, the following particulars have been obtained of the tragedy On the 19th November, the murderer. We Wharapa, or We Varipa, a well-to-do native and one of the chief land-owners in the island, residing at Waitanga, was passing along the beach, when the black* smith, as. he passed his shop, noticed something strange about his manner, and called him into his shop to have some tea. We Wharapa went into the forge and shortly afterwards went and stood for some hours under a cliff, on to the beach, with his head bent and in a very dejected attitude. His actions were noticed by the blacksmith’s wife, who fancied that there was something wrong, and she got her husband to go up to We Wharapa’s house. The blacksmith, on reaching the house, saw nothing of We Wharapa’s wife, but observed traces of blood in great quantity, and he returned to his wife telling her of what lie had seen and then informed Mr Heigh ton, theR.M., of the circumstances. Mr Heighten went to the pah, and got We Whaiapa’s sister and some others to accompany him, and went up to the house on a search. On entering the kitchen, or sitting-room, the walls, ceiling, and Hour were found splashed with blood and brains, the floor being covered with blood. Not seeing Wharapa’s wife about the house, Mr Hood and others went in search, and found her body in a gully over the hill, near where the house stood. 'The upper part of the head was smashed to peiees, the features being be yoml recognition. The R.M. at once swore some special constables, who went and arrested We Wharapa on the beach. He made no resistance, simply telling the constables to stand off when he was arrested He refused to say anything on the case being heard before the R.M., reserving his defence, and was then committed to take his trial for the-murder of his wife at the next session of the Supreme Court in Christchurch.

We Wharapa's wife was a native ofLytelton, and her maiden name was Susan Xnoswell. She was a niece of Thomas Snoswell, of H.M. Customs. She went to the Chatham Islands about about three years ago as a domestic servant to a squatter’s family there, and married We Wharapa about IS months ago. She was about 20 years of age. Wo Wharapa is about 28, and was one of the principal men on the island, and very well off. hie was always of a quiet disposition. Jealousy is supposed to be the cause of the murder. Idiom the traces left in the kitchen, where the murder was committed, it seems that We Wharapa must have struck his wife on the head several times with a billet of wood, and then taken the iire-tongs and beaten her head to pieces. Since his confession of crime in Maori. He appeared first to he in a state of melancholy madness, but latterly has become quite calm. Since his confession of the crime he has been silent about it altogether. The Omaha was ready for sea on the morning that We Wharapa was arrested, and those who were there seem to think that he came down to the beach with the intertion of getting on board the schooner and getting away from the island. He is said to be o firm believer in Te Whiti. The news of the murder created considerable excitement in Lyttelton, where the murdered girl was well-known. We Wharapa was heavily ironed during the passage from the island here, and on the the arrival of the vessel the police were signalled for, took him at once to the gaol. Tee prisoner was brought up in charge of Constable Kayner and the master and officers of the Omaha. He seems very unconcerned about his position.