Murderous Assault AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1350, 24 February 1881, Page 2

Murderous Assault AT CAMBRIDGE.

Writing last night, our correspondent says : — "A murderous assault was committed this morning by a native named Pariki, on a half-caste named Wallace, which it is considered not improbable may yet result fatally. Pariki, it appears, arrived in tr c place within the last day or so from Wellington, for the purpose of asserting certain land claims to be brought ,on at the present sitting of the Native Lands Court. Between him and his victim I Wallace a feud of long standing is said to | have existed, the cause of which, however, has not transpired. Shortly after 10 o'clock this morning an encounter took [ place between them in a paddock situated in the rear of lleid's drapery establishment, where the tribe to which Wallace belongs is camped. The dispute in this instance arose out of money matters, i Pariki making a claim to moneys to which, it is alleged, Wallace denied his right. The dispute waxed hot, when the assailant, without any previous i violence having been attempted on either side, caught hold of an axe, and dealt his antagonist a severe blow on the forehead. The result wa3 a frightful gash over the left eye, from which the blood flowed profusely. Assistance being at hand, the injured man was at once attended to and his assailant given into custody of the police. Dr. Waddington was promptly m attendance, and although at first the gravest possible apprehensions were entertained for the man's life, and in fact rumours were in circulation throughout the day that he had actually expired, we are given to understand that hopes are not only entertained of his ultimate recovery, but likewise a probability of the eyesight, which seemed hadly injured, being preserved. So far as we can ascertain, the occurrence was solely the result of an ungovernable pass'on, and drink had nothing whatever to do with it. "