MAORI EXORCISM. Driving Out a "Taipo" at Port Albert.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 4

MAORI EXORCISM. Driving Out a "Taipo" at Port Albert.

The recent case of Maori euperfctition at Port Albert carno before the Police Court, at Whangarei on Monday, 7th instant, when Apihai Tangi was charged with vagrancy. Thomas Inger (Constable stationed at Port Albert) sworn, deposed : On the 2nd met. I beard there was great excitement amongst the natives at Maori settlement, and I proceeded thither to see what was wrong. I found Apihai tied up, and lying under a blanket. There were about 200 natives present, and I a3ked them why he was tied up. They replied that he was a "Tipo." A man had recently died ; and on enquiry they said that prisoner had poisoned him. I informed them they were not to bury the man till * doctor had arrived. They said they didn't mean that, they meant witchcraft. I told them the law didn't believe in witchcraft, and asked them to allow me to rempve him, which they did, On getting to where he was lying, I told him to get up. He got up, and I aeked what he was doing there. He eaid the Maoris were going to kill him. He said he had had neither food nor water for two days and nights. I aeked him to go along with me, which he willingly did. I then told him I would arrest him as a vagrant, and be eaid be had no money of any kind, and didn't know where to go, as the Maoris would kill him. I searched him, found a knife, two handkerchiefs, and a pipe. On tne 3rd inst, I brought him before the bench at Port Albert, and he was remanded to Whangarei. Haura Arika and Raumunga Maruhera were charged with unlawfully assaulting Apihai Tangi, by throwing him down, and binding bis hands and feet, tying him to a tree, and threatening to murder him. In this case only one defendant was present. The Bench decided to adjourn both cases for production of further evidence.

" You've destroyed my peace of mind,'' said a despondent lover to a truant lass. "It can't do you much harm, John, for it was an amazing small piece you had, any way."