SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST TOHUNGA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1067, 9 July 1912, Page 3

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST TOHUNGA.

THE MOTUITI CASE

A Maori case which promises to create an unusual amount of interest was mentioned before Mr A. Thomson, S.M., at the Palmerston Police Court yesterday. The defendant is a Maori named Kingawata Tuparoa, aged about 52 years, well known among the natives, and possessing a repute as a tohunga. The charge was that on April 29th last, at the Motuiti pah, near Foxton, he committed a serious offence upon a 16-year-old Maori girl. The accused had been arrested at the Maslerton public hospital, where he was undergoing pakeha treatment for burns. Tlis treatment was afterwards continued in gaol.

When the case was mentioned in Court this morning, Sergt. Willis stated that the young woman was suffering from peritonitis, and put in a doctor’s certificate to that effect. The doctor hoped she would be able to appear next week. His Worship remarked that peritonitis was often a very serious matter, and it therelore appeared to be uncertain whether she would be fit to appear for some time to come. This would affect the question of bail. Sergt. Willis said he had instructed the constable to keep in close touch with the doctor, so as to be able to report on any change in the young woman’s condition. His Worship adjourned the case in the meantime till 12 o’clock next Monday, and allowed bail in two sureties of each. Mr Cooper, appearing for the accused, said Mr Rupu Tebianga, of Waipukurau, was willing to take accused home with him.

The sureties were forthcoming in the persons of Mr -Rupu Tehianga and Mr Karaitiana.