MURDER OF A EUROPEAN BY A MAORI.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 976, 24 September 1878, Page 2

MURDER OF A EUROPEAN BY A MA ORI.

FLIGHT OF THE SUPPOSED MURDERER TO WAIKATO. WELLINGTON, Sunday. At a dinner given last night, by his friends and brother journalists to Mr Richard Wakelin, of the ' Wai^arapd Standard,' one of the two oldest newspaper men iv the colony, (Mr Samuel Revans being the other), Mr Sheehan, who was present a short time, referred to some native matters which would attract attention, and regarding which he was communicating that night. The facts I have gathered this afternoon. A man named John McLean, cook for a survey party (Frazer's), engaged on the Waimato plains, was found shot dead at the survey camp on the afternoon of the 19th instant. The camp was at Momohaka Block, near Wairoa, and not far from Waverley telegraph station to Patea County, An inquest was held yestarday, and a verdict of murder was found against some person unknown. Suspicion points to a nativenamed Hivoki. of Papatupu, Waiototcra, who has fled. Powder and bullets were stolen from the camp. Information had been laid by the police against Hiroki, and a warrant has bean issued for his apprehension. Mr Sheehan called together the chiefs of the Waimate District to meet him today (they aro m town), and they expressed surprise, and fear lest the event should militate against their obtaining the reserves they are seeking. Thoy are doing what they can to lead to the capture of the supposed murderor. It is infeijwed that Hiroki will Hiroki will fiee to tit*? VYaikato, as he is connected with both :he Waikato and jNgatiinaniapoto tribes, Itewihas been communicated with, p,ud the chances are that Hiroki will be speedily captured. Tho murder has no political significance, and it is supposed to hare originated m a quarrel aris'tig from a desire to beg or steal on the part of the native. Further intelligence may be received to-night, and if so, it is possible that the stations both North and South may bo re-opened, m order to give fuller particulars and remove ail doubts about the character of the crimo. It causes little remark hore, as the capture of the man is considered certain, The following letter has beon sent to Mr Sheehan by tho chiefs of the district who aro now m Wellington :— " Te Aro Wellington, Sopfceinber 2IJ, IS7B.— This

is a notification by us, tho Ngaruru tribe who are at present m WellingtOD^abonf the news we have heard that a European h« been killed at Mohumohaka jfe. totara. We are^ery dark abpuiffoia evil news. We.w>nt to kng^hf fog murder has been committed by'th ataman who. so far as Ngarurf w er* uoncelfied, is a madman. Thegmurdefer* beloJled to Waikato. Mr She?han, hW walien at Waitotara, we would have%aghtsnat man, bat we, the chiefs, who havi* the managements of affairs, are here m Wellington. W« shall Bend telegrams to the Maori people requesting them to apre-" hend that murderer. Mr Sheehan, Bend our words to the Press, so that the Europeans may Bee that the Ngarnru are very dark about this news of a murder having been committed. -(Signed) Rrrekange, Te Wacko, Mahotonga, Übu TB AN6HNA, T» KAHU, TAUTAHT. RETU, i Htnark Pr/Mipr. From Ngaruru tribe who are m Wellington. The expectation is that the murder will be speedily captured, m consequence of arrangements made.