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Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 113, 23 November 1938, Page 4

(Continued from Pago 2) the Opotiki natives to give; a very reluctant consent, he issued the order tor Mr. Yolkner and the Rev. (trace, who had returned with the missionary, to be put to death. It was decided that Mr. Yolkner lie killed first and Mr. Grace immediately, afterwards. Mr, Yolkner was hanged on a willow tree, and while this tragedy was being enacted and the natives’ attention diverted, a friendly native named Te Wai released M/r. Grace and placing him in a canoe paddled down the river and put out to sea, where they were latejr picked up by a schooner and taken to Auckland. ’After Mr. Yolkner had been hanged the body was taken down, and removed to the church. The eyes were gouged out and Kereopa swallowed them. ; The body was open.;: ed and the heart removed and the Maori prophet then drank the missiom ary’s blood. The head was then- cut oil' and placed on the pulpit for the natives to. laugh and jeer at. Soon after the. murder Patara returned from his unsuccessful mission at Torero. _ lie became convinced that the murder of Yolkner was a great blunder, and found fault with Kereopa’s deed. The martyr’s head was buried, instead of being taken hack to Taranaki,had been intended. The body had been buried prior to Patara’s return from Torero. Kereopa was captured several years later, with the assistance of friendly natives. Kereopa, Paraharaka, Horomana, Hoani Houpe and Mokunioku were tried in Auckland- in 1872 and condemned to death, Mr. Savage