THE LATE MURDER AT KAIPARA.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 191, 29 March 1848, Page 2

THE LATE MURDER AT KAIPARA.

We have been enabled to obtain an nccouut of this affair, through the kindness of a gentleman who has just arrived from the Kaipaia district, which we believe may be depended on. A Native called Kapu, remarked for general eccentricity of conduct, in a hut on the mountain ofTangiuhe, suddenly struck another Native of the name of Jacky, in the forehead, with a squaring-axe and killed him. The murdered man was sleeping at the time, but there were many other Natives in the hut, all engaged in their evening prayei, in which the murderer himself was joining at the time he stiuck the blow. The surprise and confusion weie so great that he was suffered to escape to the bush, where he remained for a while, but presently letumed, when he was secured, and his hands bound behind his back. The sufferer is reported to have been of an exceedingly mild and inoffensive disposition, nor could any oth r cause than insanity be assigned for the pei petition of the crime. Early the next morning, by bieak of day, Tireiau was informed of tins circumstance, and immediately leptdred to the spot, in company wish the Rev. Mr. Buller, Weslcyan Missionary at Kaipara, where the Natives, relatives and brothers of the murderer, sat in judgment, and immediately pronounced linn worthy of death. They seemed, however, unwilling to carry the sentence into execution ; which disinclination Mr. Buller immediately took advantage of, and commending them very much for their forbearance,, advised them to carry the prisoner to Auckland, where he would bs dealt with nccording to the forms of English law. Their answer was — " Who would take the tiouble to car y such a fellow, a murderer, to Auckland ? No ! we'll execute judgment ourselves." We have learned, from another source, that they likewise asked what payment they would ieceive for their expenses } and who was to be re.ponsble for it ? a que&iiun which Mr. Buller was ot cou ( se unable to answer. Some proposed that Kapu Uiould be killed by the axe with which he committed the deed, but were overruled by the others, on the ground that shedding of blood was contrary to the Scrioturest It was therefore at last determined, that as Jacky was bu ried, Kapu should be buried likewise. When asked what could have moved him to the commission of so foul a deed ! he replied that long ngo he had received some provocation from the deceased ; but the excuse was held so frivolous and unsatisfactory, as to meet with 'he utmost contempt from his own brethren. 'Hie next day a deep pit was prepared, into which he was thrown, having pleaded in vain for a respite, on the giound of having several others to kill, amongst whom was the Chief Tireiau himself, and was covered up with all expedition.