BLENHEAM

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3834, 12 April 1881, Page 2

BLENHEAM

This day.

The Maori Mulder Case,

:An inquest on the body of Ropoarna Penipeni was commenced at Picton yesterday, before J. Allen, Coroner. The principal evidence taken was that of Nihana Pakiri who deposed to know the deceased and accused were at Ropoama's ho^ise on Saturday night. Rawira and Ropoama were having words. I do not know what they were wrangling about. I saw Rawiri strike at Ropoama. They then fought and I parted them. They had no weapons of any kind in their hands. I went home at ten o'clock, but did not see any more quarrelling that night. Ropoama was all right when I went home After I had been home some time*! went.outside, and bearing a njise I walked down and saw Ropoama lying on his back. I picked him up in my arms. He was bleeding from the mouth He did not take any notice of me when I picked him up. His wife ran at me and tried to strike her husband, but I pushed her away. Rawiri was close alongside. 1 took Ropoama to my house and he never spoke after. When we found he was so bad. the next day we washed him, and at 2 o'clock sent for the doctor. Mary Ropoama saw her husband after he was brought to my house. She dressed him. Johb Brenane, a half-caste lad, deposed : I was at Ropoama's house on Saturday night. Rawiri and . Ropoama were fighting outside when I saw them. Rawiri struck Ropoama and knocked him down. He struck him again in his side when he was getting up, and was going to his house when Rawiri hit him in the # back. I could not see whether Ropoama was hurt. I went away for a few minutes, and came back, when I saw Ropoama coming to his wife. Rawiri got up and struck him. This was in the orchard. When Rawiri struck Ropoama, he fell with his head against a stump. He did not get up again. I was close to them. Wihiana came and lifted Ropoama's head up on his lap. I did not see Ropoama attempt to strike a blow. Ido not know the cause of the quarrel on Saturday. Ihe deceased and prisoner appeared on friendly terms, but had been drinking. The inquest will be resumed to-day.