CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3733, 11 December 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

This day. Murder at the Chatham Islands-

The schooner Omaha which arrived in port yesterday for Chatham Islands, bring the news of a brutal murder. The accused is committed for trial at the ensuing session of the Supreme Court in Christchurch. From Walter Hood, who came up in the schooner, the following particulars hare been obtained of the tragedy :•—On November 29, the murderer Wi Wharapa or Wi Farapa, a well-to-do native, and one of the chief land-owners in the Island, residing at Waitanga, was passing along the beach when a blacksmith, as he passed hjs shop, noticed somethiug strange about 'his manner, and called him into his shop to have some tea. Wi Wharapa went into the.forge, and ■tood for some boars under the cliff on the .beach with his head bent, and in a very dejected attitude. His actions were noticed by the blacksmith's wife, who fanoied that there was something wronjg£ and she got her husband to go up to Wi Wharapa's house. The blacksmith, upon going, saw nothing of Wi Wharapa's wife, oat observed traces of blood, and he returned to his wife, letting her know of whit he had seen, and then informed Mr i Deighton, the R.M., of the circumstances. Mr Deighton went to the pah, and got

Wi Wharapa's sister and some others to accompany him, and went up to the house, when on entering the kitchen or sitting rooms, the walls, ceiling, and floor were found splashed with blood, and not seeing Wharapa's wife about the house, Hood and others went in search, and found her body in the gully over the hill near where the house stood. The upper part of the head was smashed to pieces, the features being beyond recognition. The R.M. at once swore in some special constables, who went and arrested Wi Wharapa on the beach. He made no remonstrances, simply telling the constables to stand off. When arrested, he did not say anything, and on the case being heard before the B.M. he reserved his defence, and was then committed to take his trial for the murder of his wife at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Christehurch. Wi Wharapa's wife was a native of Lyttelton, and her maiden name was Susan Toswell. She was a niece of Thomas Toswell of H.M. Customs, and went to the Chatham Islands about three years ago as a domestic servant to one of the squatters, and then married Wi Wharapa about 18 months ago. She was about 20 years of age; Wi Wharapa is about 28—one of the principal men in the Island, and very well off. He was always of quiet disposition. Jealousy is supposed to be the cause of the murder. From the traces left in the kitchen where the murder was committed, it seems that Wi Wharapa must have struck his wife on the head several times with a billet of wood, and then taken the fire tongue and beaten her head to pieces. Since his committal it is said that he has made a confession of the crime in Maori. He appeared first to be in a state of melancholy madness, but lately has become quite calm. Since his confession of the crime he has been silent about it altogether. The Omaha was ready for sea on the morning that Wi Wharapa was arrested, and those who were there seem to think that he came down to the beach with the intention of getting on board the schooner and getting away from the Island. He is said to be a firm believer in Te Whiti. News of the Xmurder created considerable excitement in Lyttelton, where the murdered girl was well-known. Wi Wharapa was heavily ironed during the passage, and seems very unconcerned about hii position. ; . . ■:.

(Fbom Ova Special Cobbespondent.)