New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, April 21, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 388, 21 April 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, April 21, 1849.

We have hitherto refrained from making any remarks on the fearful tragedy which has caused such painful excitement in this community, but now that justice has been vindicated, and the criminal has paid the forfeit of his guilty life in expiation of his crimes, it may not be amiss to make a few observations with reference to the effect the circumstances -connected with it have had on the minds of the native population. They cannot fail to be struck with the anxious care that has been exhibited throughout the proceedings to execute strict and impartial justice. There has been a total absence of passion or vindictiveness, the prisoner unable to furnish the means of his defence has had every consideration shown to his situation in the assistance of able counsel, provided at the expense of Government, the investigation has been most careful and complete, his guilt has been fully established on the strongest chain of circumstantial evidence, and the prisoner has himself acknowledged the justice of his sentence in the full confession of his crimes. The issuing a special commission in this case has been a judicious measure, for while the trial has been conducted with all due deliberation, the punishment has speedily followed the commission of the crime, whereas if the trial had been deferred until the next sit1 tings of the Supreme Court, so long an interval would have elapsed, that the punishment would have failed in its salutary effect, and a sentiment of commiseration might have been excited for the criminal among his fellow countrymen on account of his long confinement, a proceeding contrary to all their notions of justice. But the natives, particularly those of this district, appear to be duly impressed with horror of the crime, and believe that Maroro has been most justly punished. They have considered the crime not only with reference to its enormity, but that for the speedy apprehension of Maroro — until the murderer had been discovered — a feeling of suspicion and distrust generally might have been raised against their race in the breast of the settler which might have engendered irritation and ill-feeling and have neutralized, perhaps destroyed, the cordiality which at present exists. "We have published Maroro's confession, from which it will be seen that the chief motive which, as he alleges, impelled him to the commission of these crimes, was the desire of obtaining utu or revenge for his imprisonment for a previous offence, a robbery committed on one of his own race. This confession at first might seem calculated to excite a feeling of alarm among those residing either in the Mother Country or in the adjacent colonies who may feel desirous of emigrating to New Zealand, but this feeling is greatly qualified, if not entirely removed, by the consideration that this is in every respect an extreme case. Maroro appears to have been a thoroughly depraved character, he was an outcast from his own family and tribe, a circumstance of very unusual opcur/reice among the natives. The feeling of

utu for real or supposed wrongs, the desire for taking the law into their own hands, is rapidly disappearing from those natives living in immediate contact with the settlers, from their conviction of the superiority of our laws over their customs, in the protection afforded by them, and by the necessity of enforcing obedience to them. Such a crime, apart from political motives, has very rarely occurred in New Zealand, and we may reasonably hope, from the rapidly advancing state of civilisation of the natives, that it may be still more infrequent. But if we are to be subject to the curse of convicts threatened by Lord Grey, if New Zealand is to be inundated by a set of lawless felons hardened in the commission of every crime, who will stimulate the worst passions of the natives to the perpetration of excesses of every kind, then indeed we tremble for the result and have reason to fear that murder and robbery may become crimes of every day occurrence.

The Government Brig arrived yesterday morning from Auckland, which she left on Sunday, the 15th inst. The Harlequin had arrived there on the 6th inst., after a tedious passage of twenty-five days. A public meeting had been held at Auckland, at which a memorial to the Queen was unanimously adopted, praying that she would not allow the introduction into New Zealand of convicts with tickets of leave, as proposed by Earl Grey in one of his recent despatches,

The last instalment on account of the Porirua district, and the third instalment on account of the Wairau, were paid by the Local Government to the natives on Thursday last. There are two yearly instalments still due on account of the Wairau.

The usual half yearly inspection of troops took place on Thorndon flat on Wednesday, when the 65 th Regiment was reviewed by Lieut. Col. M'Cleverty the Officer commanding the Troops in the Southern Province. The troops went through the usual evolutions, and at the conclusion of the review the Commanding Officer expressed to Lieut. Col. Gold and the Officers the satisfaction he felt at the high state of discipline and soldierly appearance of the Regiment.

Entertainment to Native Chiefs, — On Tuesday evening last an entertainment was given by Dr. Fitzgerald to the native chiefs ' in this and the neighbouring districts for the purpose of doing honour to the portrait 6f the Queen, which had been presented by Earl Grey to the Colonia 1 Hospital at Wellington. This has perhaps been the occasion of the most important and influential gathering of natives in this settlement, erabracing the principal chiefs of the different tribes along the coast as far as Manawatu, many of whom came a distance of sixty miles to be present at this entertainment. The room was tastefully decorated with flowers and the fronds of the tree fern, at the end of the room was suspended the portrait of her Majesty, being a proof impression from the celebrated mezzotint engraving of Cousins after Hayter's picture representing the Queen in her robes of state, and calculated from the accessories introduced into the picture to impress the natives with some i idea of the pomp and circumstance attendant on Majesty. The portrait was surmounted by a crown of dahlias, and on either side ware suspended meres and other native weapons. The following chiefs were present : — Te Puni, Henere, of Pitone; Matahiwi, Te Kepa, of Waiwetu ; E Tako, Manihera, Te Watene, of Ngauranga ; Henare Te Keha, of Queen Charlotte's Sound; E Kuri, of . Kaiwarawara; Moturoa, Porutu, Ihaia, E Ingo, of Pipiteaj Mohi, Te Retimona, Hemi, of Te Aro ; Kaparatehau, of the Hutt ; Kirikaramu, of Ohariu ; Watarauhi, Rawiri Puaha, Mohi, Porirua ; Ropata, of Wainui; Arama Karaka, of Whareroa; Toheroa, of Uruhi ; Tuainae, Riwai Te Ahu, of Waikanae ; Te Matiu, Te Puke, Te Ran-, paraha, Te Ahu, Hakaraia, Tamehana, Matene,ofOtaki; Watanui, of Ohau ; Taratoa, of Manawatu, &c, and many Europeans, including the Rev. Archdeacon Hadfield, H. St. Hill, Esq., Resident Magistrate, who acted as Vice Chairman, G. J. Thomas, Esq., H. Tacy Kemp, Esq., Native Secretary, Dr.sMonteith, T.Fitzgerald, W.Mantell,J.Deighton,Esqrs., &c, were also among the invited guests. &c.» At half -past six the guests sat down to a very substantial and excellent dinner which had been laid out in every respect as if for European guests only. The chiefs were all well dressed in European costume, with the exception of two, who instead of coats wore very handsome kaitaka mats ; and they behaved with great decorum and gravity* observing the usual courtesies of the dinner table, including the custom of taking wine

with the pakeha and with each other. After dinner the health of the Queen was drank with great enthusiasm, the maories cheering in true English fashion, to this toast succeeded the healths of Prince Albert and the Royal family, of Earl Grey, of Sir George Grey the Governor-in- Chief, and of Mr. Eyre the Lieutenant- Governor of New Zealand, which were also v,ery cordially received, particularly the health of the Governor-in-Chief. InproposingEarlGrey'shealth,Dr. Fitzgerald reminded the natives that they owed to his lordship's regard for them and solicitude for their welfare the portrait of the Queen which they now saw before them, and that nothing would be more pleasing to him than to know they were adopting those customs of their white neighbours which would increase their comfort and happiness and promote their advancement in civilization. Dr. Fitzgerald then proposed the following toast " The Pakeha and the Maori, may they continue to live together peaceably, that they may have but one mind and one desire for the good of this country." -This Sentiment was enthusiastically received, and appeared to call forth the warmest sympathies of the assembled chiefs, who vied with each other in expressing their satisfaction at the friendly relations-! which existed between the two races, and their earnest desire that mutual good will should continue to prevail between them. They said that the entertainment given them by Dr. Fitzgerald was not only a proof of the good feeling of the pakeha towards them, but had the further good effect of bringing together in social contact tribes that had formerly been hostile to each other, but who were now animated solely with the desire of joining together with the Pakehas in their allegiance to the Queen, and of living peaceably under the protection of the laws. Alluding to the recent murders they expressed in the most emphatic manner their deep abhorrence of the crime, and their conviction .that the murderer had been fairly tried, and justly deserved to die. Other toasts were also drank, including the health of their Host and Doctor, and success to the Colonial Hospital, which was proposed by E Tako, and the health of their friend and benefactor the Rev. O. Hadfield, who they welcomed once more among them with every demonstration of respectful affection. The guests rose to depart a little after ten o'clock, highly gratified; and we have every reason to congratulate Dr. Fitzgerald in having done a good work, the effectof which cannot fail to be highly beneficial in strengthening the kindly feelings which exist between the two races, y^ "^yC >C

Execution . — OnThursday morning Maroro, convicted of the murder of John Branks, underwent the extreme penalty of the law. The prisoner, who since his conviction has been attended by Mons. Le Comte, the Roman Catholic clergyman, in some letters written to his relatives at his dictation, and at his express request on the day previous to his execution, and also in a letter addressed to his Excellency the LieutenantGovernor, full / confessed his guilt, and declared that he alone was concerned in these murders, the chief motive which induced him to commit so dreadful a crime being the desire of revenging himself, or of obtaining utu or satisfaction for his previous imprisonment. He also executed some rude drawings, four in number, of the murders which, from their accuracy in .describing the locality, and the relative position of his victims after the commission of the crime, could leave no doubt of his guilt. The fatal scaffold had been erected on Wednesday after-^ noon, immediately outside the wall of the* gaol, and looking towards Lambton Harbour. Soon after seven o'clock on Thursday morning groups of persons began to assemble in front of the scaffold, and the numbers increased until, as the fatal hour approached, there were about five hundred persons present, a" considerable portion of whom were Maories, and of these the greater number were women : we regret to be obliged to add that several white women were also among the spectators. ' A company of the 65th regiment were on duty, and a strong party of the Armed Police were also on the ground. At eight o'clock the prisoner was led out in custody of the Police, having his arms pinioned, and habited in a pair of trousers, and a white shirt which he wore over his other clothes ; he was attended by the Rev. M. Le Comte, H. St. Hill, Esq., the Sheriff, and the Rev. R. Cole, Colonial Chaplain, were also present. On reaching the scaffold Mons. Le Comte and prisoner knelt down together, and were for some time engaged together in earnest prayer, after which the executioner adjusted the fatal noose, and drew the cap over the prisoner's face : the Rev. R. Cole then, read to the assembled multitude the following statement :—": — " The criminal now about to undergo the sentence of the law for the crime pi murder, not being able to express him-

self in English, I say for him that he confesses to the guilt of the cha'ge for which he has been condemned to die; that he alone is guilty of the deed ; that he inculpates- no other person whatever; that he acknowledges the justice of his sentence ; and dies at peace with all men." Everything being in readiness, the drop then fell, and the wretched criminal was launched into eternity. At first he struggled violently, but after a short interval his struggles ceased, and life appeared to be extinct. After hanging the usual time the body was taken down, and afterwards buried in the cemetery, that part of his sentence, " that his body should be buried within the precincts of the gaol," having been remitted by the Lieute-nant-Governor, the gaol having been destroyed by the earthquakes.

Through the kindness of the Rev. G. R. Le Comte we are enabled to publish the confession of Maroro, as contained in his communications to his Excellency the Lieu-tenant-Governor and his relations, with translations. Poneke, i te ware herehere, no te 17 o Aperira, 1849. Xi a Popofeorua, ki a koutou katoa, c noho ana kitei te Wairoa. E hoa ma, ka nui taku aroha ki a koutou kua mate ahau ; kia rongo ai koutou ki taku ruatenga to te mea noku ano toku bara, kei pouri to koutou ngakau ki toku he, no taku wakawanautanga mai i roto i taku whaea no kona ahau, inaianei kua tangataketia; me he mea i kona a hau kahore'he he i tata mai ki a hau, inaianei kua he ahau, me toku tinana hoki ; te utu ko ahau ano. E hoa ma kei pouri koutou ki toku matenga to te mea noku ano hoki toku he ; c pai ana ahau kia mate mo tofcu he. Kahore he he o te pakeha to te mea noku ano toku he. Taku taumata tonu ko mata ua nei marama te titiro ki to karoaraia c arahi raunga no one nga oko c haere tapu ano. Ka niutu taku korero ki a koutou katoa ; kua huaina loku ingoa ko Henare, Na o Henare Maroro. Translation. Wellington Jail, 17ih April, 1849. To Popokorua — to all of you living at the Wairoa ; my love for you is great. My friends, I have been put to death ; I have sent to let you know of my decease, and because it is of my own doing, concern not yourselves about my misfortune ; when I was yet a child I might be considered as one of you ; now I am become a stranger ; had I remained with you this misfortune would not have happened to me, now I have done wrongfully and my body will suffer also. Friends, be not concerned on account of my death, because it was of my own seeking out ; lam willing to suffer for my own fault. ***** This is the end of my speech to all of you. I hay« been baptized, and my name is Henry. Henare Maroro.

Poneke, i te ware herehere, no te 17 o Aperira, 1849. Xi a Puou, ki taku tuahine. E hine, tena koe, kanui toku aroha atu ki a koe. Naku ano taku hara i kimi. Takn tinana kua mate ki Poneke ; taku wairua kua riro kitei te rangi, kua kite i tou hoa. Kei rapurapu tou ngakau ki toku he, to te mea noku anake toku he. £ tika ana nga kai wakaerea ; kahore aku wakahe. E pai ana ahau kia wakamate, to te mea kua piri te Atua hei hoa moku. Te take i patua te pakeha ko toku hereheretanga; te tahi take hoki ko te wati, ko te moni. E taka ki t« raro ho mai kcia a te aroha c te aroha c te roimata c taheke i runga. Ka mutu aku korero ki a koe; kna huaina toku ingoa ko Henare. Na Henare Maroro. Translation. Wellington Jail, 17th April, 1849. To Puon, to my sister. Sister, my love for you is great. I sought out my own mischief, and I am properly speaking the payment thereof. My body is dead in Wellington ; my spirit has flown to heaven, and seen your departed husband. Do not concern yourself with reference to my being put to death, since it was of ray own doing. The Judges are right ; I find no fault with them. lam willing to suffer death, because the Almighty-has become my near friend. The cause of my killing the white roan was on account of my being tied up ; another reason, on account of the watch, and money. • # • * * This is the end of my speech to you. I have been baptized by the name of Henry. Henare Maroro.

Tenei ano taku waking* ki» koutou katoa: — 1. Naku anake i patu ite pakeha ; kahore oka boa ; kahore he maori i raobio c baere ana abau kitei te patu pakeha, kahore hoki he pakeha. , 2. Te take i patu ai i te pakeba ko toku tiohoanga i te v?a,re herehcre^ ko te n>oi?\

hoki, ko te wati hoki, ko te torohio hoki, ko te kept hoki. 3. Kahore ahau i kite i a ia i mua, kahore i korero tahi maua; kabore i mauahara ahau ki a ia. 4. He bara i te mea wakariterite, no te raea kua kite i a ia, no reira i patua ai ia. 5. I te ra toru o nga ra i mea ai abau kia patu he pakeha ; i taua ra ano ka haere au i Poneke kitei te rori ki Porirua i te rima o nga haora i te ahiabi; kua rautu te raahi a nga pakeha ; i noho nbau i te ngaherehere ki ko mai i te vrare karakia o te Kora; i moe ahaa ki reira; aoke te ra ka baere abau kitei te Kenepuru; i te Tokeiti ka kite a Mania i au, ka haere tahi maua ; no reira ki kite ano te toki kitei te Kenepuru. Na ka hoki mau au taku kotahi c mau ana i te toki, haere mai ahau ka tae mai kitei te ware o te pakeha i patua i waenga nui 0 te witu o te waru o nga haora; kua po noa atu ; ka tahi ka patu i te pakeha; kahore rau he raaori i mobio ki taku mahi. 6. Kua mate te pakeha ka heremai au ki Poneke nei ko tahi te pakeha i kite au ki Kaiwarawam ka mea mai ia i ac haere ana koe kihea ka mea atu au c haere ana ahau ki Pitone, kitei te pa o Te Puni; ka oti ano ta maua korero. Ka haere mai a hau moe noa mai au i te ware kowatu ki runga ake i Raurima. Ko toru moenga tera toku kotahi. 1 te ata ka haere mai ahau kahore i buna taku haerenga, tae noa au ki Te Aro; i te waru o nga haora. Ko tahi te porihi i kite i au, he pakeha ia ; kahore au i waki i toku hara kitei te maori kitei te pakeha hoki. Taku wakakitenga kitei te pakeha ko te wati mea atu ana a hau no toku parata te wati, no taku putanga ki waho i te ware herehere ka kite ahau i Tauteka, a homai c ia nga rohi ka kai matau, a haehaea ite paraikete tawito. Kabore au i mea kia waka mate ano i au. Kati ano oku pukapuka kua tuhituhia ki a Kawana. £ oti ano oku korero.

Translation. 1 his is my confession to you all: — 1. I alone killed the white man; no one was with me; no maori knew that I was going to kill white men, nor did any European know. 2. The cause of my committing the murder was on accountof my confinement in gaol; also, on account of the money, the watch, the drawers, and the cap. 3. I never saw him, or spoke to him before ; I had no ill will towards him. 4. It was not from having seen him before that I decided on killing him (on the contrary). 5. On the third day (Wednesday) I decided upon killing a white man ; on that same day I went from Wellington to the Porirua Road at 5 o'clock in the evening; the white people had finished their work; I was in the bush a little on this side Mr. Cole's church ; I slept there ; in the morning I went to the Kenepuru. At the Tokeiti Ko Mania saw me, and we went on together ; it was then 1 found the axe at the Kenepuru. I then returned alone with the axe, and came to the house of the whiteman that was killed between 7 and 8 o'clock; it had been dark some time ; I killed the whiteman ; no maori knew of what I had done. 6. After I had killed the white man 1 returned to Wellington. I met one whiteman near Kaiwarawara who asked me where I was going, I said I was going to Petoni, to the pa of Te Puni; this was all we said. I came on, and finally slept at the stone building a little above Rauriraa (or Tiakiwai.) I slept there alone. In the morning, at eight o'clock, I came to Te Aro. I met one policeman, a European. I did not tell either Maori or European of what I had done. All that I said was with reference to the watch, which I said belonged to my brother. After I left the jail I met Tauteka, who gave me some loaves (bread), and we ate together, and tore up an old blanket. I never said that I would commit suicide. I shall write no more beyond what I have addressed to the Governor. This is all.