MAORI DEBAUCHERY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 50, 17 July 1912, Page 5

MAORI DEBAUCHERY

FURTHER DETAILS.

By Telegraph—Pres# Association. Palmerston N., Last Night,

The charge against the tohunga Hingawata Topuroa of having committed rape on a sixteen-year-old girl whom he was to cure was advanced a further stage to-day by Mr. Thomson, S.M.

The evidence of Teira Toteniri corroborated that of previous witnesses as to the quantity of liquor brought into Motuiti Kainga by the accused —whisky, beer, and schnapps —and the giving of it in cups to Emily Heta, and her sister Louisa; also as to both being very drunk and Emily sleeping in the room with the tohunga and his wife to effect a cure of her consumption. On the morning after witness heard Mrs. Heta say to Hingawata: "Is this one of your ways and means of healing?" Hingawata replied: "What do you mean Explain yourself." Mrs. Heta replied: "By sleeping with Emily." Hingawata repeated: "What do you mean?" and the other said. "By assaulting Emily." Heta, Emily's father, had a sword in his hand, and said: "If that is true, I will cut your head off." The sword was taken from him. Hingawata, witness continued, denied the charge, and said that they had better not talk any more about it. It was freely stated among those'present that the father and daughter would soon die as tlie tohunga Hingawata had too much power. Heta thereupon said that he would shoot tlie first person he heard say that lie an-.l his daughter would soon die.

I Louisa Heta also gave evidence as to the liquor given her and her sister. First of all Hingawata gave them a quarter of a cup of whisky each, and then morn than half a cup each. They then had some beer—two half cups each. Later 011 they had another half cup of beer. They refused once, but their grandfather threatened that he would cut their heads off. Emily then went and had a sleep in her mother's bedroom. Witness went and woke Emily up, but she could not get up because she had a headache. Witness went a second time, but could not get her out. Hingawata's wife then went in and assisted Emily out. Emily was drunk and Hingawata gave her more drink, but witness could not say what it was. Witness had eight drinks on the Monday night. She was very drunk-, but i Emily was worse. I Sergeant Willis said that closed his- , case for the present, until they were able to take Emily Heta's evidence. It J was decided to adjourn the case til) ! Wednesday next at Motuiti pa, when j the evidence of Emily will be taken. The I other _ six charges' regarding taking | liquor into the pa were allowed to stand over till then. Similar bail to that previously allowed, viz., two sureties of | £2OO each, was granted.