THE MAHIA TRAGEDY. A SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. FULL DETAILS. MURDER AND CREMATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 365, 4 May 1889, Page 4

THE MAHIA TRAGEDY. A SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. FULL DETAILS. MURDER AND CREMATION.

Dktaius of the recent shocking tragedy on ] the East Coast have reached us. It appears that tho terrible affair took place on the Mahia Peninsula. A shephoid named Gollnn, known as Bob, had living with him a Maoii woman, and a half-caste named McQuarrie had a desperate passion for the woman, who was therefore the caufc of a bibtor feeling between the two raon. 3\Jc Quarrio, ib seems, did his best to win the woman over to being a party to his own desires, but without success-, and his failure naturally'intensified the feeling of jealousy. By all other people bub his rival in the affections of tho Maori woman, Bob was well liked, and so far as is known had no other enemies. 110 was a shepherd on Mr Oimond's station, and on Friday morning ho did not turn up to work as ho was expected to do. This gave eauso for some apprehension as to what had come over him, and on Roing to his place of residence (a two-roomed cottage with lean-bo) ib was found to be burnt down.

or else MeQuarrie called him out. The lad heard two shots fired and then after a short lapse of time he heard anothor. He got curious and went towards the house. When McQuarrie came back the boy asked him what ho had done, and he ropliod that ho had shot Gollan, and threatened ho would do the same to the boy if ho did not maintain silence in regard to the affair. Shortly after the flames burst out of the house, and the boy asked what u as the cause ot it, andJNlcQuarrie said ho had done it, and again threatened the boy. On the previous day McQuarrie was making bullets, and on being asked what they weie for, said he was going shooting wild dogs. Previous to tho murder he had been making inquiries as to whether (.lollan was at homo, and had ascertained that he would be at home, and without any companionship. When he left tho boy holding tho hor&o ho told him he was going to sco Bob (Gollan) about shooting wild dogs —ho had a doublebarrelled muzzle-loader with him.