LOSS OF PROFESSOR BROWN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1830, 18 December 1888, Page 4

LOSS OF PROFESSOR BROWN.

Dunbpin, December 14. [ The. Daily Times ha» received aD urgent telegram from Mr J. White, solicitor, from Lumsden, that Professor Brown, of Otagb University, is lost at Manapouri. Prdfessor Brown, who is professor of English literature, was Jn company with Majcjr Goring and Mr sol ctor, exploring, the country between the south-west arm of Manapouri and Smith-Sound. On Dec. 6 they were to have crossed a lowsnddle at the foot of which they werje Lcamped, but rain coming on they decided t,o wait its clearing up. About noon Pra 1 - fessor Brown left the camp for a stroll up thei gorge, but rain coming on the party became anxious, and searched for hini until evening, but without success. Friday Saturday and Sunday were terrible with rain, hail, and wind. Messrs White and Goring made every effort to trade their companion, but without success. The provisions being exhausted, they left the camp on Monday, and returned to th'e Lake, terrible weather being experiencecL A party of four including Ernest Mitchell, -who*«Bsisted in cutting the overland tradk to the Sutherland Full*, are now oi)fc searching. There was a depot of provisions over the saddle, and another at the head of £he lake ; and possibly; the Professor may have got to one of these anjd found himself unable to return. Though an enthusiastic bushman, he is not an experienced one. He has been about trie Lake before, and he also made the overland trip from Wanaka to the West Coast .with Mr Lamach, when Minister of Mines. The search party which includes Mr McKinnon, Mr Rops, Mr Mitchell, and Mr McKenzie, M.Bf. K., have very little hope of finding the Professor alive. )

THE WAIPERO TRAGEDY. Gisbornb, Dec. 14. Innpector Kiely, of .Napier, returned from Wiiipero tbiß morning. TLe Inspector states that since Saturday a great smonot of new evidence has been obtained, which dovetailing makes an exceedingly strong case against the man Hairi Te Pere. There is not a great deal of evidence to connect Bohepa, his ■ brother, with the crime. The other four natives who were detained were released from custody on Monday, there being no evidence likely to cast suspicion on them. Inspector Kelly left SergeaDt Bullen ht Awanaj, to conduct the case. The Court resumes on Monday, and ii will probably be Tuesday afternoon, before the Court adjourns. Then the c-ise will be adjourned to Gisborne for Dr Pollen's evidence. In Hohepa and Haiii the police are certain they have got the murdererers, and they state that the evidence likely to be presented will be of.suchja nature as to ensure retribution for the crime. It was Hairi, as before stater), who 1 .ft Waiperp on the evening., of the murder, hiving been thoroughly cleaned out of cash whibt playing cards. Hairi stated that he could bring; evidence to prove that he passed Akuaku, .between: Pooka place and Waipero, at two o clock in the afternoon ; but'this'has been disproved by the statements of Some children, who say that be ■passed that afternoon at sundown. "Hairi also explained that the money he- had in his possession was given him by his brother ; but this Bohepa denies. The possession of the blood-stained knife and sheath found by Sir George Whitmore at Tuaparoa is very condemnatory. The marks on the knife represent figures in Homah cn'pitxh, which, being translated into 'the Maori language, give a number corresponding with Haiti's name. The figures are ■ V J X, which mean "HP" (IJairi Peii). Th is «l-;o the evidence of a mate of Hm'ri's, who knows the knife nnd sheath (an uncommon one) well, and has often seen it in Hairi s possession. The suit of clothes worn by Hairi was

taken. It had been stolen from * tent at Mr Packard's. The prisoner states that he bought it from Mr Pook's store, but Mrs Neilson recognises it as being of her work and belonging! to Pickards. This suit bore evidence "of haying been worn only a few hours, and an .active search brought to light a coat and tvest* 'bloodstained, which Hairi had been jwearjtag'. when he left Akuaka. The trousers Were not to be found. 1* is believed that Hohepa knows something about the butchery, though he will say nothing to implicate his brother. It is not thought he took part in the actual crime. The evidence of the boot is very strong. Besides the piece worn out in the middle of the sole there is .a small piece .of the. heel off, and this accounts for there being only a half impression of the blood-prints of that part of the boot. The two accused men are said to have had a talk together in the cell, when Hairi wanted Hohepa to say he had given him the £2 6s known to have been in his possession after the murder. Hohepa replied that he could not do so, as he had already told them he had not done bo. " The conference ended by Hohepa ;,sayingi "You cannot get clear. You go your way and I' will go mine," or words to that effect. When playing cards and spending money before the murder, Hohepa's wife remonstrated with him, and said that was why he .could not keep his family. He replied,* 'J Never mind;; I will have money. and ,clothes soon." This is said to be the only direct evidence against Hohepa. .