A TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8867, 30 October 1907, Page 5

A TRAGEDY.

FRACAS AT A MAORI SETTLEMENT.

WIFE CHARGED WITH MURDER

(Post Correspondent). AUCKLAND, October 29. The Star's Dargaville correspondent wires : A fracas, resulting in a tragedy, occurred on Saturday at Maropiu, twelve miles from Dargaviile, causing the death of Watene Keihana. A native gathering was being held in connection with a christening ceremony. Early in the morning Keihana had an altercation with his wife, and walked away to an adjacent storehouse, his wife subsequently proceeding in a similar direction with a bridle in her hand, to catch a horse. Shortly afterwards Reihana returned to the meeting-house, his face covered with blood, and exclaimed: "I am killed." It is alleged thathis wife struck him with the bridle. He lay down, and an hour later partook of a little food. Then, complaining of illness, he proceeded to the door, and fell unconscious. He expired the same night. The wife of the deceased, who had been to a neighbouring settlement, returned, not anticipating a fataiity, and on learning of her husband's death swooned. An inquest was held, and a verdict returned to the effect that death had resulted from the effects of a heavy blow. Peti Watene was arrested, and today brought before Justices and charged with murder. The police application for a remand was granted. Reihana was aged 47, and his wife's age is 46. There are six children. Accused is a woman of high rank, being a member of the well-known Pautuama family. She feels her position acutely.