THE HAWKE'S BAY MAORI MURDER CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 104, 21 June 1900, Page 2

THE HAWKE'S BAY MAORI MURDER CASE.

[PBB PRESS ASBOOIATIOX.] Napier, J uce 20. The trial of Ropata, for murder is still proceeding. The case for the defence is that the man was distracted by his wife's infidelity and persistent refusal to return to him. The prisoner is cow giving evidence at length in regard to extraordinary Maori superstitions aud spells recommended by a Tohunga to regain his wife's love. Later. The charge of wife murder against Ropata Paraire occupied the Supreme Court for two days, ending in a verdict of manslaughter, in which the Chief Justice expressed his concurrence, but deferred sentence. The most remark-; able feature of the evidence was the widespread belief in witchcraft given by educated native s. Eopata was educated at Te Aute College. His wife, to whom he was man ied in the Maori fashion, left bim. He followed her, and tried every means to induce her to return, including spells furnished by a Tohunga, who is also a Catholic preacher. He believed she was in love with another Maori, and, according to his own evidence, she told him not to bother her any more, as she was going to join another man at Wairoa, and in a (it of pission he picked up au uxe lying at baud and struck her on the head with it.