SHOCKING MURDER OF A MAORI.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2468, 15 February 1881, Page 2

SHOCKING MURDER OF A MAORI.

[By Telegraph.]

Graiiamstown. Feb 14

The bodj l, of the mau murdered at Te Aroha was found by the side of the road leading to Pairoa. The throat had been severed by a fearful gash,and the gaping wound was a terrible spectacle. The skull was almost battered in, and there were several deep cuts on the face and neck, apparently inflicted b} r some jagged instrument. The murdered man was named Himiona (Simon), and was a member of the Ngatikoa tribe. There are some doubts as to how the fractures on the skull were caused, people alleging that they were caused by a conical stone which was found close by deceased covered with gore. Others are of opinion that the wounds were caused by a tomahawk. From the fact of the fern being trampled, it would seem that a struggle had taken place, and the murdered man (who was probably unarmed) fought hard for his life. His coat and hat were found in the middle of the road, an amber mouth piece with a silver ferrule attached, and a white handkerchief spotted with blood. The pockets of deceased’s trousers were turned inside out, as if the motive of the murderer had been robbery. The police, later in the day, found at the tent of a mau named Procoffy, a native of Finland, some newly-washed clothes, still wet, witli stains on them, and believed to belong to Procoffy. He had been quarrelling with tbe murdered man on the previous night, and hence suspicion falls upon him. On being charged with the murder, the accused replied, “ I don’t know anything about it. I did not do it.” He appeared much excited when asked questions, but answered without any hesitation. Accused is a man of small proportions, and from his appearance is not likely to have committed the drime. He has been working in the Sunbeam. The natives are greatty incensed. On Saturday afternoon an inquest was field at Te Aroha, before Mr Kenrick, 11. M. The evidence showed that deceased and the prisoner were not on friendly terms, and had quarrelled on the day of the murder. The medical testimony showed that the wound was made with a sharp instrument, which been drawn backwards and forward across the throat of deceased. Some bruises were also found on the prisoner. The medical man could not say whether the stains on the clothes were blood until subjected to microscopic observation. After half an hour’s deliberation the jury returned a verdict, “ That the deceased, Himiona Hoara, was found foully murdered by some person or persons unknown.’’ The circumstances of the case are most suspicious, and there is a feeling here that the enquiry was brought to a too abrupt termination. The accused is still in custody. He was brought up, before Mr Kenrick at To Aroha on Saturday night, charged with the wilful murder of Hiiniona, and remanded to Graluunstown for eight days. THIS DAY. [By Teujguaph.] The police state that they have evidence tracing the mouthpiece of the pipe found near the body of the Native who was murdered, to the possession of the prisoner Procoffy,