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THE PUHIPUHI MURDER.

PETITIONS TO CABINET. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. Tt is understood that petitions favoring u reprieve of Kaka arc to be considered by the Cabinet to-morrow. . DEPUTATION TO MB. BI'DDO. Auckland, Last Night. An influential deputation waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. I). Biuldo) this afternoon, headed by the Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr, C'rossley), to make representations in support of the commutation of the death sentence under which I'ahi Ivtka is now lying in Mount Eden Gaol. Mr. A. Myers, M.P., in introducing the deputation, expressed the opinion that there were especial circumstances which would justify Cabinet in reconsidering its decision. The young man had signed a confession but for which ho would pflssibly not have been convicted, besides which were to be considered his youth and upbringing. Bishop Crossley pointed out that the deputation did not in any sense desire to mitigate the sense of horror that must attach to such a crime, but thev asJied that earnest consideration should be given to the question whether so young a life should he taken, or that justice in its true sense would be best served by demanding the extreme penalty of the law. There'was something more than sentiment underlying the appeal at such a time when all loyal British subjects were united in preparing for joyous celebrations. It would be a great and noble act of clemency and hope to the Maori race, which, he was sure, would never forget it. Mr. Hosking, of Napier, added a touching appeal for the extending of 1 the Royal prerogative of mercy towards the condemned. .

Mr. Hackett pointed <jvit that the present case was the first 011 record in the Dominion in which the jury's recommendation to mercy had been ignored. The Hon. D. Buddo, in reply, agreed that it was not a question of clemency affecting the position; it was rather a question as to the circumstances surrounding the case being set aside. He would be pleased to convey the representations of the deputation to the Acting-Prime Minister, by telegraph,' at once, and they might rest fully assured that the matter wouid be fully considered in all it.? bearing®.

THE MAORI MIXD. A TARAXAKI MURDER RECALLED. A large number of Maoris are at present in Wellington in connection with some land business, and one of the head men lias been interviewed by a Post representative. Briefly, the head man said that the Maori hearts are sad because of the boy, Talii Kakn. For him they feel the greatest compassion now, but how shall they feel ivben they look back upon the pakehas who have killed men and women and yet have not had to die under the law? After their compassion is gone, their sadness ended, they shall feel that this ~iaori boy has been sacrificed. They shall feel that this first opportunity to hang a Maori for taking a. white man's life in not blood has been taken, while the pakcha who has murdered in cold blood and with cruelty and premeditation has been allowed to escape the death penalty. The head man goes on to cite a milrder by a Maori in Taranaki. lie savs: "Xow, I will tell you of the murder of a lady, Miss Dobie, who was murdered bv a Maori many many years ago in Taranaki. She was sketching at Opunake. A Maori asked her for tobacco. There wa.s no objection to her sketching, for the Maoris were hospitable. But this Maori—he was a man of 25 years—he asked her for tobacco. She said she had none, lmt it did not occur to her to give him money to buy some. Then he went away. He returned, and this is what he afterwards said: 'I thought I would go back and kill her. I do not know why I thought so. I approached her. and as I did so a red light danced before my eyes. I killed her there. I felt that I must kill her.' Xow, did Kaka feel Like this? If lie did, then was he responsible for the minder of the old man ? He is but a boy: the murderer of Miss Dobie was a full-grown man. It is common for a Maori to say i\a mate koe a an,' which means, '[ will kill you or I will injure you.' But it does not follow mat he put his threat into effect.

''Xo, no; tne Maoris are n fighting people, but tliey are not a murdering people. They fought fairly, hand to hand, foot to foot. They <.« id, 'Uv the next moon we will figut with you,' when they went to war. "We Maoris feel that Kaka should not die. The jury who tried him thought lie should not die. We thinu he should be the subject of mental and moral treatment. He is too young to die. He wanted the old man's money, and had he given it to him there would have been no murder. We no not say Kaka is not guilty of the crime, but we cry for mercy for this Maori lioy, ns mercy has been extended in times past to the nakeha who has killeit a man in hot blood. That is all I have to sav."

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19110616.2.52

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 329, 16 June 1911, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
877

THE PUHIPUHI MURDER. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 329, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE PUHIPUHI MURDER. Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 329, 16 June 1911, Page 5

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