INQUEST AT OPUNAKI.

Patea Mail, 30 November 1880, Page 2

INQUEST AT OPUNAKI.

EVIDENCE AGAINST MAORI PRISONER. Charge of Murder. (specially reported eou the mail.) The coroner’s inquest upon the body of Miss Dobic, who was found with her throat cut and lying near the high road a mile and a quarter from Opunaki, on Thursday night, was commenced on Friday, and continued on Saturday and Monday, Dr. Gibbs, from New Plymouth, presided as coroner. Mr Eyes, storekeeper, was foreman ; and the jury comprised A. Bayly, W. Middleton, J. Newman, E. Middleton, J. Stevenson, M. F. Coffee, Breach, Peacock, Pcnnnington, Flynn, Peacock; and W. C. Hurslhousc acting as interpreter. Two prisoners wore taken into custody—Walter Stanncr, from Hawera, the last person known to have been near the scene of the murder about the time, the other prisoner being a young Maori of Hone Pihama’s tribe, named Tula, The evidence against him is circumstantial, but very pointed. The rumor that Stanncr was released and again apprehended in obedience to a telegram from Wellington is not correct. The blood spots on his clothes may be sufficiently accounted for without connecting him with the murder. The jury met on Friday evening, and viewed the body in the same gory condition as when brought in. They reassembled on Saturday morning, when evidence was taken in the Telegraph Hotel, The body was again viewed, the neck having been washed to show the nature of the wound. The neck had been cut in a jagged manner, as if hacked rather than incised clean, and there appeared to have been three or four stabs in the.neck before it was gashed deeply across, as if she had struggled hard, and received repeated stabs in the neck before falling. Then the throat had been cut right across, as if the murderer intended to sever the head from the body, but could not cut through the vertebral column in consequence of being disturbed, or because the knife was small. The body was stabbed only in the neck. No other wound was on the body. The knife found had the Maori prisoner’s initials on the handle. It is is a common cheap pocket knife with a blade two and a half inches long. A Maori eel-spear would be a likely instrument. This common pocket knife seems too small, though not positively insufficient. The poor lady’s body was interred on Saturday, near the township. The surgeon who examined the body informed the jury privately that no violation had been attempted. Inspector James watched the inquiry, and (Sub-inspector Bullen conducted the examination of witnesses.

THE EVIDENCE. Inspector Goring, A.C., deposed : Deceased lady was my wife’s sister, her name being Mary Dobio, 20 years of age. She left my home, near tbc Constabulary redoubt, on the afternoon of Thursday, about 2 p.m., purposing to take a short walk. She seldom wore jewels, other than a plain gold ring on her second finger, and a watch and chain ; on this occasion only a ring. It was between nine and ten o’clock before a search party, which her continued absence had set on foot, found her murdered body. It was lying on its back, with one arm bent over the head. The clothing was not much torn; certainly npt more than would have been caused by dragging the body after death. The lower limbs were exposed to the knees, no more. The body was found about a mile and a quarter from Opunaki, and I had it. conveyed to whore it now lies. Constable McGrath deposed : On Thursday 1 left this place for Cape Egmont, accompanied by W. Stanner, the prisoner now in custody. He was riding a bay horse. I Avas also mounted, and had a led horse. I overtook a jmung Avoman Avith tAvo dogs, about sixty yards beyond the telegraph office, and going in the direction of Ngav Plymouth, and avc passed her. Stanner and I Avent together until we arrived at a point Avherc a track turns off to Bishop’s place, about eight miles

perhaps from bore. He said he was bound

for Bishop’s for a horse, and there we parted. I saw no blood on him. Don’t remember meeting anyone else on the road going cither way. I believe the lady I met was Miss Dobie, having seen the remains since. She was on foot. The time of reaching the track to Bishop’s was about half past three o’clock. W. Wilson, A.C., deposed : t was one of the search parly on Thursday night, and was present when the body was found, and helped to bring it to whore it was viewed by the jury. I noticed that there appeared to be a little warmth in the under side of the body (that part near the ground). We found the body between 9 10 p.m. Wo wore carrying torches, the night being dark. I went next day to the scone with others. Constable Tosline discovered a pair of trousers in a flax bush, in my presence. I would again, I believe, recognise the trousers then found. I identify those now produced as the same. They were cut and torn, with stains of blood on them ; and were found from four to six feet from the spot where the body lay. Saw blood on the flax and bushes from the edge of the road to where the body was found. I see streaks on these trousers, such as might be left by rubbing against flax or rushes which had blood on them. To the best of my belief it is blood which I sec on these trousers. The Coroner here remarked that the clothing would be submitted to experts, whose opinions would bo recorded. Joseph Tosline, A.C., deposed : 1 was one of the search party, and was present when the body wus found. I went yesterday morning to the same place, searching for evidence. I found a pair of moleskin trousers about Gft from the feet of the corpse. Found them in a loose heap in a flax bush, looking as though thrown down after being taken off. I did not touch but drew attention to them. When they were taken out I saw marks of blood. They were cut, torn, and ripped, as now. In my presence also Constable Hickey found a hat; also a piece of bridle was found, about 150 yards from the scene of the murder.

Henry Frederick Hawkcn, A.C., deposed : 1 am stationed at Opimaki, and on Thursday afternoon, about five o’clock, Mrs Coring asked me to search for her sister, who had unaccountably over-stayed the time at which she had promised to rereturu. I found on enquiry that she had gone along the main road towards the town

of Opunaki. I met tlie prisoner Staimcr three-quarters of a mile along Uie road, on horseback, and leading another horse. J I asked if he had seen a lady on the toad, and he said he passed one about two o’clock, when going towards Parihaka, but did not see her on his return. J. believe T met Stunner on the New Ply month side of To Mann, and that he had seen her some distance on the other side of the Tc Mann. Stanner asked me to hold his led horse while he adjusted his saddle. While doing so, the horse I was holding for him broke away. I then crossed the creek to the other side of the bridge to the higher ground, and coocyed once or twice, but received no answer. 1 wont towards the cliff, and found footprints of dogs, and on returning to the road I saw footprints of a small human foot like a woman’s. They were very small, and I believe they were those of Miss Dobie. When I called the two dogs L think they came direct from the place where the body was afterwards found. Had Miss Dobie been alive when I called, she must have heard me coocying, as I was at one time within fifty yards of the place. That would be a quarter to sis o’clock. Having seen nothing, and darkness setting in, I returned to Opunaki station, and passed two Maori women on horseback, going towards the camp at Cape Egmont. They did not stop near the place where the body was afterwards found.

Taylor, an A.C., deposed : I know the Maori prisoner, and saw him on Thursday at the bar of the hotel at Opunaki. I noticed particularly that he Avoro two pairs of trousers. The outer pair Avcre old moleskins, and torn, but not so much as those now produced. I saw the under pair through the holes in the outer pair. They seemed to be dark tweed, and darker than those now produced. I cannot SAvear that the trousers produced are those Avorn by him, but they look A-ery much like them. I saw no blood on them, but I see blood on these. I Avas not able to see his legs under both trousers. His hat Avas a black one.

By the Jury : He had no coat on and was sober when I saw him. Examination continued : I am not able to say whether he wore a shirt, because his coat was buttoned up. The coat he

wears now was darker than the one he j wore then. It is also older. The hat I produced is I believe the one ho wore then."\V 11. Eyes, foreman of the jury, gave evidence as follows :—I examined the trousers produced. The prisoner seemed to have worn two pairs when I saw him on Thursday. The rents in the outer pair drew my attention to that particularly. They are old and torn, but not so bad as those now produced. A piece seems to have been partly cut and partly torn out. Constable Shearman deposed : I was at Opunaki hotel about 6 o’clock on Thursday evening, and saw the native prisoner in front of the hotel on a black horse. I could not say if he had saddle or bridle. Am sure he did not come from the north side. 1 know where the body was found, and where Tc Manu is. It is possible to come to Opunaki from Tc Manu, or the direction from which the prisoner might have come, without using the main road. 1 visited two native settlements to-day, and at one took possession of a black horse like the one the prisoner was riding on Thursday. When the prisoner dismounted and entered the hotel on Thursday, I noticed he wore very old trousers, with a tying of flax round his ankle. They were not unlike those now produced, except that these are more torn. I last saw him at a quarter past six on Thursday evening, and ho did not appear to be excited. His horse was fresh.

A Maori woman, Kararame Paid, of Oeo, married, said : I came on Thursday from Parihaka to Opunaki, and when passing To Manu I saw a black borse about 80 yards on the seaward side of the main road. It was saddled, and bad its bead away from me, so that 1 could not see if it bad a bridle Tbe horse seemed to be a prisoner (tied). The saddle appeared old. I saw no one with the horse. I cannot speak as to the time, but the landlord of the hotel will know the time I arrived at the hotel, and I went on there without stopping. The prisoner Tuki joined us, and I exchanged salutations with him. Pic was on horseback (I can’t speak as to the horse) and came up with us as if ho was coining from Opunaki. He might have came from Opunaki or from either side of the road, but he came in our company to Opunaki Hotel. 1 cannot say how ho was dressed. It is not my custom to look at the maimer of the men’s dresses. The prisoner seemed to join ns suddenly on the road. I had four companions. Hone Pihama was about 40 yards ahead of us.

Hone Pihama deposed : 1 came from Parihaka on Thursday to Opuuaki. 1 heard some of my people say they saw a horse at Te Manu in the flax oil' the road. The prisoner is one of my people. If he had left Opunaki going - towards Te Manu at the time he joined my people, he must have passed me, but I did not sec him join them, though 1 heard his voice behind me, near the telegraph station. When I. had been at Opunaki some time, he importuned me very much to buy him a pair of trousers. My arrival would be about half-past four in the afternoon, lie said to me : “ I want you to buy me a pair of trousers because my knees and other parts are coming through,” and he lifted his knee for my inspection. I would not look, because I did not intend to supply him. I think he wore a coat. I don’t know whether he had a horse or not. I met no one between Umuroa and Opunaki, but people might travel in that direction at the time, because for 2A- miles I took a short track which is not usually known to people. This track leaves the main road about six miles from Opunaki, and reenters it about four miles from Opunaki. Harry Middleton deposed : I am pro prietor of the Telegraph Hotel at Opunaki. I saw the prisoner Tuki at the hotel on Thursday, after one o’clock in the afternoon. He wore a coat similar to the one he now wears. His trousers were torn and dirty. They appeared to have been of a very light color originally, possibly white. I thought I saw a darker pair of trousers underneath, in places. He said he was going to Te Manu to look for a horse, and if successful he would sell him and come to me to pay his debts. When I next saw him, he had returned to the hotel, at the time of Hone Pibama’s arrival I cannot say I noticed any difference in his dress. I must say I had not so good an opportunity of seeing him then, as he was in front of the bar, amongst a crowd. Ho asked for and I gave him a small flask of brandy, which he afterwards told me he had broken in the stable ; and he asked for another flask of brandy. Then he wanted another pair of trousers from me, but I refused. He was very importunate. He also asked me for the loan of a bridle, stating that he had broken his own. I sent him to my stable-man for one. He wore no boots that day. I left between

seven and eight in the evening. I noticed

nothing particular in his manner when he returned with Hone’s party. He appeared to have been sober all day. It was not till his return with Hone that he pressed mo to let him have a pair of trousers. Martin Coffee deposed : I keep a store at Opunaki. The prisoner came to the store about eleven in the forenoon. I did not notice his addres. Hone Pihama came into the store between five and six, and the prisoner followed him in, and endeavoured to induce that chief, to buy him a pair of trousers, because those he wore had holes. I believe the pair marked No 2 (tweed) are the same. To my certain knowledge he had not two pairs on at that time. Miss Dobio came into my store between one and two on Thursday afternoon for aBB pencil. I had not one of that kind, and she took a carpenter’s pencil, for which she tendered sixpence. I returned in change a threepenny piece and a penny. I did not see a sketch-book with her. The prisoner was not in the store at that time. He rode a black horse. He had evidently been drinking. He bothered me much for a box of matches. He must have been a do/.en times in my store during the afternoon. I cannot say whether he was there between Miss Dobie’s departure and Hone Pihama’s arrival. A young man employed at thoTiotel, named Harley, deposed : I saw Tuki at eleven o’clock on Thursday morning. The moleskin trousers produced, marked No. 1, are similar in appearance to what he had been wearing, but I am quite satisfied they were not so badly torn as these are. I could then see his flesh through them at the knee. I saw him frequently from eleven to one o clock, but not again till half-past six, when he came for a bridle, having, as he said, broken the one he had been using. He took a small flask of brandy from his pocket, but let it fall I don’t think he was the worse for liquor. X lent him an old bridle. It is not amongst those now produced. I did not sec him again. Me had a coat on in the evening, with several things in the pocket, but I can t speak to his dress m the morning. T. Kbowles, A.C., deposed : I apprehended Tuki at his whare on Friday, and brought him to Opunaki. We halted twice on the road, the second halt being 300 yards from the redoubt. ] had not then seal died the prisoner. It is very probable he might have rid himself of anything which he was anxious to throw away without my seeing him at the second halt, whole he lit his pipe, A boy named Hickie found a knife. I afterwards took that boy to the second halting place, that I might see where the knife was found.

Francis Hickie, aged 13, deposed ; I reside with my father at Opunaki. I found the knife now produced on Friday afternoon, and handed it to my father. It had the letters fI.H. on the handle. I went to-day (Saturday) with Knowles to show him where I found the knife, about seventeen yards from where the prisoner stopped yesterday to light his pipe. The knife was shut when I found it, and looked just as it does now. I saw some blood on the point of the blade. Mj’ father said it was blood. The knife was under a flax bush. Constable Knowles, recalled, said : I arrived at the redoubt at 10.45 on Friday morning. The boy showed me where he found the knife, on the road taken by us in conveying the prisoner to the redoubt.

Constable Hickie deposed : My son gave me a knife about 8 o’clock on Friday evening ; and the knife now produced is the same. I observed something like blood on the point. I gave it to Mr Middleton, who handed it to an officer. 11. Middleton, recalled ; I received this knife from last witness, and handed it to Colonel lloberts.

Colonel lloberts deposed; I am in charge of the colonial forces on the West Coast. The knife produced has stains like blood. I received the knife from Mr Middleton, and gave it to Dr Carey, who saw me receive it.

Dr Carey deposed : I am surgeon to the A.C. force. This knife, which has been spoken to, is marked on the handle with T.H. It has blood stains on the end of the blade.

Wilson Hursthousc, C.E., surveyor, deposed : I am engaged in making a road from Stoney Hiver to Hawera, and am well acquainted with this district. On Friday morning, at nine o’clock, I went to the spot where the body was found, in company with Col. lloberts, Honi Pihama, and Sergeant McKeown. The spot was near Te Nainu, on the north side of naki, about 1J- miles from the town, and on the main road. I looked closely all round the locality. The body was found 42 yards from the metalled portion of the road, on the seaward side. I saw a good deal of blood on a flax bush within three

yards of the main road, also on rushes between the bush and the metal. I saw blood on another flax bush ten yards further on, and a pool of blood on the ground. Again 24 yards from Ibo metal I saw blood by another flax bush, and another pool near it. The. grass looked as though someone had been lying on it. From this point to whore the body was fonnd were traces of blood, and the A'cgetation showed that something had been dragged across. I also noticed that the principal blood marks were at the sides of the flax bushes farthes from the road, as though they had been used momentarily for concealment. I was present when tiie native woman gave evidence. I heard her say she saw a black horse tied to the flax. It would be possible for a person riding to travel between the scene of the murder and the telegraph office, and reach there as quickly as anyone travelling by the main road, or nearly as quickly, without himself travelling on any portion of the main road. I had a conversation with the prisoner this morning, at the redoubt, and beard him say that the trousers he bad on at the time (marked No. 2) had been mended by him since Thursday. No old foot-marks could be be seen. The ground is there very sandy, with a little grass and rushes about it. Arthur McKeown deposed : I knew the deceased lady, and heard of her absence on Thursday afternoon, and joined in the search. As I went up the road I met the prisoner, W. Stanner, and asked him if he had seen a young lady on the road. He had, he said, but was not able to say in what direction she was going. Stanner was riding, and his horse was bleeding from a cut on its nose. He said he was just a note out of pocket because of a horse which ho brought almost home having broken away, and the horse he was riding being too much blown and done up to go in pursuit, and that he had had a cropper. He then went to the Telegraph Hotel, and I went on to join in the search. After finding the body, and before it had arrived at the redoubt, I met Stanner again, and he asked me if I had any idea as to who killed Miss Dobie. I said, “ I have not, have you ?” He replied, “No ; how should I?” 1 answered, “You were the last man seen on the road, and 1 must therefore detain you until inquiry is made.’' I then sent him to the guard tent. His clothes were examined, and found bloody. There was blood on both sleeves of bis coat, on the left wristband of his shirt, and on both his shoes ; also a spot of blood on his trousers. Had then no further conversation with prisoner. His horse was bleeding freely, and his trousers were wet as though he had been wading creeks. Sergeant Ibbott deposed : The body of the deceased was handed over to me on the night of Thursday by the search party. Searched the clothing; searched three pockets, and found nothing in them* There was a ring on the second finger of the left hand, and a bone bracelet on left wrist. My wife was present at this time* A carpenter’s pencil was found in her dress pocket afterwards. It had escaped mo. Dr,Carey examined the body just as it was handed over to me. J. ‘William Day, police detective from New Plymouth, deposed : I have been engaged on this enquiry since Friday night. I saw the native prisoner, and took bis trousers off. Found blood on them on the scat, and on the right leg I found a hair resembling deceased’s in color and texture, about 5 inches long. I found it in a crease at top of trouser’s leg. I saw that he had an old wound on the righs ankle joint, outer side, and it seemed a week or ten days old. It was exuding blood ami matter. I. was shown a pair of trousers, now marked No. 1. There was much blood on them, ami a quantity of clotted blood on the outer side at bottom of right leg, but on the inner side of the material. This blood corresponds exactly in every way with the wound on the ankle. I formally apprehended both the prisoners’ and charged them with murder. The Coroner here notified that as it was now past mdnight (Sunday morning), no further evidence could legally be taken. Having bound the members of the jury to appear at the same place on Monday morning at 8 a.m, lie adjourned the inquiry till then. SUNDAY. The coat which the native prisoner had worn on Thursday was found in his whare on ; Sunday by al constable. . Both sleeves f • arc stained with blood ; also the breast. jr : MON DA r. The jury met again at 8 a.m. The Coroner stated a native witness was required from a pah, and they would have to adjourn for perhaps three hours.

A telegram received in the afternoon informs us that the inquiry was expected to close on Monday night. Telegraph communication last night was suspended, in consequence of the Governor’s landing in Wellington. Our report of Monday’s proceedings at Opunaki could not be got through. Wo arc unable to state whether any verdict was arrived at last evening. It does seem absurd that the colony’s business should come to a standstill because a now Governor arrives bi Wellington.