MAORI FANATICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 17 November 1908, Page 3

MAORI FANATICS.

The Law v. Superstition.

Auckland, Nov., 16

Hirini Ngatimo Hohepa and Etna, his wife, found guilty of the manslaughter of their child, were sentenced this morning. Mr Carruth, their counsel, pleaded for mercy on the ground that the husband was suffering strongly from the influence of religious mania and that the wife was acting under lear of the husband and his father, together with superstitious dread. The jury, he claimed, by their verdict and recommendation, had brought in what almost amounted to acquittal. His Honour; No such thing. No fear of injury to herself could justify any mother in burning her child to death.

Addressing the male prisoner, the Judge said that he had committed a shocking crime under the influence of barbarous and ignorant superstition, but if the Maoris dreaded makutu, they must be taught to dread still more the power of the law to prevent crimes under that influence. He imposed a sentence of ten years, whereupon the prisoner hissed out ‘‘ Go to h ” and was quickly hustled below the dock. The female prisoner was sentenced to five years, the judge saying that it was plain she dreaded the violence of the husband and his father.