MURDER IN THE MOUMAHAKI BLOCK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5457, 23 September 1878, Page 2

MURDER IN THE MOUMAHAKI BLOCK.

We are indebted to the courtesy ot the Hon. Native Minister for the following telegrams, giving particulars of the murder recently committed at tbo Government survey camp at Moumahaki : Waverlev, September 21. Inguest held to-day at Waverley on tho body of John McLean, cook to the survey party of Moumahaki, who was shot on September 19th. at tho survey camp. Verdictwilful murder against person unknown. Suspicion points to a native named Hirohi at Pahipu, Waitotara, who is said to haye fled. Information against Hirohi is now being laid by tho police, and a warrant issued for his apprehension. 0. A. What, E.M, Coroner. Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Patea, September 21. Man of leaser's survey party found shot dead; supposed by natives, as powder and bullets taken from camp Eraser’s (ray partner). Was surveying Moumahaki for Government. Edward Tbegae. To Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Patea, September 22. Constable Hynes, who knows Hirohi, telegraphed description to tho Commissioner at Wellington. Hirohi is supposed to have gone in the direction of Taupo or Waikato. I have communicated with Captain Wilson, Hawera, and Captain Kenny, New Plymouth. , , C. A. What. To Major Brown. 1 Wakganui, September 22. People hero are not alarmed. The newspaper reports say it is a private murder, and not connected with surveys. Goodalp, Sub-luspettor. To thy Hop, Mr, Shoehan,

PateAj September 22. The death of John McLean was supposed by* surveyors to have resulted from his accidentally stepping and impaling himself on a stake whilst drawing water out of the Modmahaki' Creek, aud’ evidence of murder 'did not transpire until after post mortem examination yesterday, when the bullet was extracted. Hence the affair was not reported earlier. The murder was committed during the absence of the survey party from the camp, deceased being the cook, and ‘alone in charge. No evidence throwing light on the perpetrator was elicited from the survey party at the inquest beyond the fact that some .three weeks previously there had been a slight quarrel with the natives about pigs and a dog, which a'European of the party charged Hirohi with stealing. The evidence given by Hirohi was merely hearsay, and to the effect that he had been heard to say (not by the witness) sometime previously that he would kill McLean, the brother of the deceased, aud further, that some natives had stated to witness's mother that Hirohi had told them that he had gone to the survey camp and had a quarrel with the cook, who had fired at him ; that he (Hirohi) had returned the fire and shot McLean dead lam of opinion that the deed, if committed by a native at all, is of no political significance, and was not done with the intention of disturbing the survey, but was probably the act of an individual actuated by personal motives, and carried out without the approval or consent of the tribe. Nothing further has transpired, but I am in communication with the police, and will telegraph as soon as I receive warrant, Hirohi is known, personally to Constable Hynes, who has warrant for his apprehension, and he has telegraphed description of Hirohi to district officer, New Plymouth, and to the

chief office, Wellington.. Hirohi is reported to have made his escape to the King country, O. A. Wray. To the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Wanganui, September 22. Me Wairoa murder.—l first heard of the matter by reading a telegram in last night’s Herald .' No rumour had reached me previously indicating intention on the part of the natives to commit such violence. The alleged offender is not known to me. No information as to where he has fled to ; no alarm here yet. I .will make due enquiry as to the nature of the offence in connection with the surveys, and let you know. It seems to me rather to look like a simple murder, although matter looks suspicious as coupled with the survey of confiscated land. I shall at once institute enquiries amongst the natives, and procure all the information I can upon the subject, and inform you forthwith. B. W, Wcon, Hon. Mr, Sheehan. Wanganui, September 22. I have heard nothing whatever of the murder of John McLean, near Waverley, except from the Herald newspaper, in the report of last evening. The scene of the murder is not in my district, hence local police have not reported to me. That district is in charge of the officer at New Plymouth, Officer at Waihi is nearer than New Plymouth. Offender is unknown to me. I have received no information of the route he has taken, and I rim unable to give any information on the point named in your telegram. Goodall, Sub-Inspector. To the Hon. Mr. Sheehan. Several chiefs of the Ngarauru tribe, originally owners of the land, who are now in Wellington, upon hearing of the outrage, addressed th© following letter to Mr, Sheehan : Te Aro., Wellington, September 22, 1878. This is "a notification by us, the Ngarauru tribe, who are at present in Wellington, about the news which we have'heard that a European has been killed at Moumahaki, Waitotara. Wo are very dark about this evil news. We want to know why this murder has been committed by that man, because that man was, so far as the Ngarauru were concerned, a madman. The murderer belonged to Waikato. Mr. Sheehan, had we been at Waitotara we would have caught that man, but we, the chiefs who have the management of affairs, are here in Wellington. We shall send telegrams to the Maori people requesting them to apprehend that murderer. Mr. Sheehan, send our words to the Press, so. that the Europeans may see that we, the Ngarauru, who are here, are very dark about this news of a murder having been committed. Keherangi. Te Waero. Mahutonga.Uru te Angiba. ' Te Kahu. Tautahi. Ketu. HeNARE PUMIPT. Prom the Ngarauru tribe, who are in Wellington.

Active measures have, we understand, been taken with a view to the' arrest of the murderer, supposed to be a Maori from Waikato named Hirohi, and to prevent any unnecessary alarm in the district arising from this outrage. The Native’ Minister is assured, we understand, that it has no political significance.