CAPTURE OF WINIATA, THE MURDERER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2888, 28 June 1882, Page 2

CAPTURE OF WINIATA, THE MURDERER.

[By Telegeaph.j Auckland, Juno 27. Winiata, the murderer of a fellow servant at Cleghoiu’s farm, Epsom, in January, 1876, and who has since been a refugee in the King Country was captured to-day, and brought Jnto Hamilton by Constable Gillies. Flans for the capture were laid by the police at the Whatiwhatihoo meeting. Winiata was then living at To Kuiti, 45 miles inland. The police enlisted the services of a half-casto named Barlow, who went to Te Kuiti trading for pigs with Winiata, supplying him with grog, and making himself generally agreeable. Having ingratiated himself in this way in Winiata’s confidence, bo induced him to come into his. (Barlow’s) settlement, 25 miles from Kihikihi. Hero Barlow who is a very powerful man, seized him and conveyed him single-handed to To Awamutu, where ho delivered him to the local police. Ht> will bo brought before the Bench at Hamilton to-day. The following fuller particulars of the taking of Winiata are to hand ; The policejhave been actively working in tiro matter of Winiata’s capture since the Native meeting at Whatiwhatihoe, and the £SOO reward offered

induced Barlow to undertake liis capture. Winiata always carried a loaded revolver, and slept with it handy. Barlow having made hie guest Winiata, and other guests at his settlement, drunk, ultimately administered ohlor oform to Winiata, whom he succeeded in taking behind bim on horseback, and brought him on to Kikihihi at 4.30 this morning. On arrival at Kikihihi, Winiata and succeeded in getting his hands untied, and made a desperate, but ineffectual attempt to escape. On the road to Hamilton, Winiata asked Constable Gillies to shoot him, knowing his fate would not bo far distant. He was cautioned and questioned by Seargent McQovorin in his ' cell (Mr John Edgecombe acting as interpreter) at the Hamilton lockup. Ho says Mr Whitaker said at Whatiwhatihoe that all back offences were buried, that he is under Tawhiao’s sovereignty, and asked permission to telegraph to Tawhiao. The request was granted, the police seeing it. Winiata is apparently in no way disconsolate, and seems to take the whole affair as something altogether unexpected. He smokes his pipe as contentedly as if he were in his own whare, and speaks cheerfully to all who go to look at him. Great credit is due to Constable Gillies for his tact in carrying out his instructions. Sergt. McGoverin has had a horse in the stable for the past fortnight in readiness for a start at any moment. Barlow had previously sold out all his belongings in the King Country, and is now with his wife and family in Te Awamutu. He is a JSgatimaniopoto half-caste, and was present at the Whatiwhatihoe meeting. LATER. Later telegrams discredit Winiata’s being chloroformed. It is said he was made dead drunk with rum and brandy. Winiata relies on the promises of Mr Whitaker sent to Tawhiao while in Auckland, that “all the rest of the offences were condoned.” Ho says ho carried two revolvers till then, bnt not since. He also says a half-caste commenced to commit the crime, and be ran away for fear of being suspected another time. He extenuates bis crime •by stating at the time of his escape he visited a Mercer store and the Rangiera Hotel. He then crossed the Ngaruawahia bridge, going up the banks of the Waipa and the Te llori. Afterwards he swam across the Waipa river to the King Country. Winiata telegraphed to Tawhiao :—“I have arrived at Hamilton. It is for you to speak or act.” .