TELEGRAMS TO THE “MAIL”

Patea Mail, 9 June 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS TO THE “MAIL”

(per united press association.)

HIROKI HANGED. New Plymouth, Bth.—Hiroki, for the murder of McLean at Momahaki, was executed in the New Pljunouth gaol this morning. From 8 o’clock last night the prisoner enjoyed a quiet natural sleep ; but on waking this morning the recollection of the solemn proceedings distressed him, and he wept somewhat freely. He, however, recovered his composure shortly afterwards, and showed a cheerful disposition. . Archdeacon Govett attended the prisoner, and was engaged for some time in spiritual devotion previous to his being taken to the gallows. The scaffold was erected in the north-east corner of the prison, in front' of the cells where Te Whiti and Tohu . were . confined. Shortly after 8 o’clock the prisoner was brought out from his cell and pinioned in the usual manner. He ascended the scaffold with a firm step,'and although his countenance was pallid he betrayed no other signs of emotion. He stepped forward to the spot indicated by the executioner and stood firmly. The rope having been adjusted and the cap put on, the last words of the burial service had scarcely been uttered when the drop fell and Hiroki disappeared out of sight. Death was instantaneous, as scarcely a muscle was moved. HIROKI’S CONFESSION.

The following is Hiroki’s confession In January, G, Brown and John Sheehan spoke about the land, when the latter was Native Minister, at Mahaki. I told McLean‘You had better not let any white man go on that land.’ I told Mr Sheehan, ‘ If I see you put white men on my land, that is surveyors—otkari—l warn them that I will kill them.’ After that time some more white men came on to survey the land, I asked them, ‘ Who told you to come on my land ? ’ They said it was the Government. I told McLean that ‘as you will persist in coming, after me telling you not to come on the land, I will kill you,’ When I told him that, McLean said, ‘Nevet mind; you are a by pig.’ I told him, ‘ I will kill you all, but you will not know the time I will kill you’—meaning any, of them. In September, I went to the place with the intention of killing any of them that I found there on the land.

“ As I was going up to the place where they camped, at the tent I saw John McLean looking towards me. When lie saw me, he went into the tent, for he knew I meant something. I went towards the door of the tent. McLean stood in one end of,the tent at the back. McLean fired at me with a gun, and the ball went through ray right: side as I stood in front of the door, only through my clothes. I caught his arm (gun) and pulled it away. McLean ran away, and I fired at him. That is what killed him, and he fell in the water close to the river-

I went away, and I took one sheet, some tobacco, and some bullets. I told a good many of the Maori people when I went to Parihaka what I had done. I told about fifty natives. Te Whiti knew all about what I had done. I did not keep it secret from any of them.