THE MOMAHAKI MURDER.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 359, 25 September 1878, Page 2

THE MOMAHAKI MURDER.

INQUEST AT WAVERLEY. An inquest was held at the house of Mr Cornelius Dempsy, Waverley, on Saturday last, on the body of John McLean (found dead on the Momahaki Block), before the Coroner, C. A. Wray, Esq., and the following Jury—John Moreton (foreman), Jas. Aiken, Owen Hawes, John Dickie, Donald Dickie, Duncan McDonald, John Milne, John Bradley, Thomas lon, A. 0. Milne, Alexander Riches, and D. Fleming. Dr Croft, M.R.C.S., deposed to holding 2>ost mortem examination on the body, and finding a round jagged wound above the middle of the twelfth rib on the left side, four other ribs being splintered. During the examination his attention was attracted by blood flowing from the- right ear, and discovering what appeared to bo a hard swelling, which being cut into disclosed a large bullet. The body being opened the route of the bullet was traced to where found on the temple bone of the right side. Deatir must have been instantaneous. No other appearance of injuries inflicted before death.

Richard Birch, survey cadet with Mr Fraser, deposed to returning to the survey camp about twenty minutes past three o’clock on Thursday afternoon. On going towards the lire to get a drink of water looked about for John McLean, the cook. Not seeing him in the whare, witness turned to get a drink of water out of a billy, and then saw the body of McLean lying face downwards, with a bucket on his left side, head and shoulders being in the water. Immediately called out to Mr Fraser that Jack was in the creek. The two together drew the body out of the water and placed it under a tent-fly on the high ground On examination found the things in Barclay’s tent turned upside down as if plundered. The two other tents had not been disturbed. Went to meet the survey party for the purpose of telling Murdo McLean of his brother’s death. There had been words about three weeks previously between one of the party —Adam Barclay—and a native named William, about a dog winch the natives bad stolen when pig-hunting. Witness considered there was some ill-feeling on the part of the natives against the smvey party, on account of the dog and the pighunting. Examined all the arms in the touts, which were unloaded, and appeared not to have been touched. A powder-horn was found on the ground in Barclay’s tent with the lid open. Had seen Barclay making bullets, but of a smaller kind to that found in the body. The deceased was on good terms with the natives, and generally gave them food when they came into camp. The native (William) had on one occasion helped to catch pigs. When witness first saw deceased, had attributed death to an accident. lie. had not hoard shots during the da} 7 , and was about two and a half miles from camp. The nearest native pal: was about a mile and a half from camp Bapatupu. I)o Genius Fraser, permanent surveyor at woik on the Momahaki block, deposed to leaving camp on Thursday morning at eight o’clock, returning again about halfpast three, going straight to Ids own tent. Almost immediately afterwards he heard Birch call out for him two or three times, and then ran out towards the cook-house. Being shown the body in the water, ran down with Birch and lifting it out placed it on the bank under a fly-tent. Afterwards went to Waverley and informed Constable Burrow that one of his men had been drowned, thinking, at the time, that it was an accident. On first noticing the wound thought it was a gunshot, but subsequently thought that a stab had inflicted the wound in the side. Believed deceased to have been friendly with all the men at the camp. There bad been no quarrel to his (witness) knowledge with the natives. There had been no liquor in camp to bis knowledge. Had seen natives at the camp at times and believed they were on good terms with the deceased. There was no ill-feeling between ins party and the natives about the survey 7 . Saw no fresh tracks near the camp. The flag from Trig station In o. 2 near camp had been taken away several times, but the natives had never objected about thesurvey. Other evidence as to tent and belongings was similar to Birch’s.

Adam Barclay deposed to meeting Birch on returning to camp in the evening, and being told of McLean’s death. Afterwards saw "the body and helped to remove it to one of the tents. Mr Fraser had returned to camp with Constable Burrow. Found articles in his tent had been disturbed, and found that a sheet had been taken awajq also a pound of tobacco, about half-a-pound of powder and six or seven round rifle bullets. Could find no tracks, the ground being too hard. Helped to take body of deceased to Waverley on Friday. The bullet produced was not one of his, being two or three sizes larger. About three weeks ago whilst out working a dog belonging to the camp strayed away to where the Maoris were pig limiting about threequarters of a mile off and did not return. About a week after, witness accused two natives named Kereopa and William with taking the dog and threatened to take out a summons. They denied all knowledge of the dog. Said he had seen them with the dog in order to induce them to return it. Did not hear any threats used by the natives. John Barrow, constable, repir ted pro- ( i cceding to camp born biionvialicm received, f and the subsequent examination of the body and tents. Was of opinion at the i time that death, bad. been caused, by accident. Francis Williamson, a settler residing at Waitotara, stated that about three weeks ago he was at the native settlement at JPapatupn, when Hiroki complained that Murdo McLean and a former cook to the survey party bad been killing bis pigs. Hiroki said he would kill Murdo McLean and the cook on account of the pigs. Hiroki had made use of the threat on two or three occasions, and he (witness) had cautioned McLean and Fraser. Joseph Roger Hynes, constable at Waitotara, deposed lo having found about 300 yards from the camp, on the other side of creek, a cork and three or four

pieces of paper, which corresponded to paper found in Barclay's tent. James Curie deposed to being at Waitotara on the evening of the 19th instant, when some Papatupu natives, in reply to question asked Mr Fisher, wore told that Constable Hynes had gone to Momnliald to see about a European that had been drowned. One of the natives present said (hat Iliroki had a quarrel with one of the men at the surveyor's camp —that the European had fired first, and the native (Hiroki) shot the European, who fell into the creek. Witness could identify the native who had made the statement. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against some person unknown. WaYERLEY. (from OUil OWN COUUFS POND ENT. ) September 23. On Saturday evening a meeting of settlers was held in the Town Hall to consider what steps should be taken with a view to the apprehension of the murderer or murderers of the late John McLean. Mr Mason was voted to the chair. The chairman suggested that it wou'd be advisable to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday next, on account of the short notice that had been given. It was however decided to discuss the matter.

Proposed by Mr Jordan, seconded by Mr G. Nicholls, “ That while this meeting entirely indorses the verdict of the Coroner’s jury with regard to the cause of the death of the late John McLean, they have reason, from concurrent circumstances, to believe that it was an act of murder committed by a Maori or Maoris for political from motives of private revenge, and wosld therefore urge on the Government the necessity of tracing- by al! legitimate means the crime to its perpetrator.” Carried unanimously. Resolved, Thatthechainnan be requested to forward the above resolution to the Government. The question of an adjournment was here again raised, but was overruled. Proposed by Mr J. Durie, seconded by Mr J. G. Dickie, “That Government ,he petitioned to offer a reward for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer of the late John McLean, and that the meeting will take steps to supplement the reward offered.” Carried. This closed the meeting which was well attended, and at which a strong determination was manifested . to further by every possible means the discovery and punishishment of the perpetrator of this horrible crime. It is generally supposed and the opinion expressed that the act had no political significance, but was committed from private feelings of revenge or grudge of some sort.

Mr F. R. Jackson’s stock sale was held on Friday last, and was well attended. A special meeting of tiie Town Board was held on Tuesday, the 17th instant. All members wore present. Tenders were opened and the following accepted: Forming portion of Bear-street from corner of Brassey-street to main road, Dudley,£l 1 6d; forming portion of Gloag-sTeet from corner of Brassey-street to main road. J. Bowie, £8; ploughing and sowing portion of Wilson-street from the pound to main road, 0. Robinson, £7 10s. Mr Dudley subsequently refused to sign No. 1 contract, owing to some mistake in ca'culations, and Mr Robinson’s tondcr£l4, was accepted. Letter road from Government stating that the Town Belt cannot bo conveyed to the Town Board at present, and that certain portions of it have been reserved for railway purposes. The chairman was requested to communicate further with Mr Biyce on the subject.