THE GISBORNE TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1917, Page 5

THE GISBORNE TRAGEDY.

DEATH OF THE MURDERER. GOES THROUGH £13,000 IN A YEAR. By Telegraph,—'Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. Abraham Te Whero, wanted for the murder of his wife on Sunday evening, was arrested in a wool shed on John Michell'a Awapuni property in tho suburbs of Gisborne this afternoon. He was very cold and wet, having been out in heavy rain all night.' The police were notified that ho looked ill, but attributed it to exposure. However, about six o'clock it became apparent that something serious was the matter, and the prisoner was removed to the hospital, whero he died at 8.20 p.m. He admitted that he murdered his wife, and expressed penitence, Te Whero stated that he drank tho contents of a bottle which he found in tho wool shed this morning. He believed it contained water, and had no idea it was poisonous.

The inquest of Mrs. Te Wliero opened this afternoon. After formal ovidence it was adjourned till to-morrow. Dr. Scott, who examined the woman, gave evidence that she had received two exceptionally violent blows on the bftek and left side of the head. The wounds corresponded with the size of the axe. Both parties formerly lived at Hast- j ings, where Te Whero kept taxi cabs, and Mrs, Te Whero kept a restaurant. Te Whero about seven years ago received £13,000 as his share of the purchase money of the Waimarama estate. He is stated to have gone through the money in less than a year. The couple had frequent quarrels over money, and it is stated that this led to the teaB«dy.