MURDER BY THE MAORIS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 30 August 1880, Page 2

MURDER BY THE MAORIS.

The Huntley correspondent o.t tho Waikato Times, writing on August 19th says :—An old Maori man narr,od Hono has been murdered under the following circumstances :—lt seems that the old man in question belonged to the Ngapuhi, but has resided with the Ngatihapos, Lower Waikato, for many years, and by them he was looked upon as a slave. It was suspected that ho possessed the power of a "makutu," that is, of bewitching, and ho> is said to have caused great troublo' amongst them. The Maoris had frequent, meetings to consider how Hono was to> be got rid of, and, although many suggestions were made, no one cared to tako the initiative. Some three months ago two of the Ngatihapes, named respectively/ Rapoto and Toe, weret* going out pi Vhunting, and they pressed . tho old v ian Hone to go with them. He conserved. They (the three) started, and after t ravelling some distance Indian iilo— r foo in front, Hone in the centre, and Rapoto behind—Toe went off the track, into the fern, thus giving Rapoto a chf.nce to do the bloody work. Rapoto fired, hitting the old man in tlto back, but tho wound was not mortal, as Hone ran crying he was being murdered, and that he would " makutu " (bewitch) them all. Rapoto, however, reloaded his gun, and following tho poor fellow up, shot him dead. They then dragged tho body into the swamp, where it was trampled in. Rapoto and Toe returned to their homes (new Whangape Lake) "where they said, the old man Hone ran away into the bush,, which explanation was considered satisfactory by the other natives. Nothing of: truth transpired until Saturday last, whom a native to. whom Toe told the abovo particulars, Harmed me. I have since learnt; that! Rapoto and Toe have gone to thot Hauhaus. I believe the abovo to b® striotly true, as I know two, off fchfl natives concerned.