CAPTUREE OF THE MURDERER WIMIATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1558, 29 June 1882, Page 2

CAPTURE E OF THE MURDERER WIMIATA.

w _ As we announced in an extra on Tuesday, Winiata, the native who murdered Edwin Packer at Epsom on the 27th January, 1876, has at last been captured, and is now in the hands of the police. The news of the, captuie soon spread throughout the district, and everywhere it was received with manifest satisfaction. After a run of almost six years, enjoying the sweets of liberty, Winiata has at last been brought to earth, and by means as simple as they were successful. Dining the Kmgite meeting at Whatiwhatihoe, Sergt. McGovern and Constable Gillies, acting under instructions from the Government, and at liberty to devise the best possible means for securing the murderer, came in contact with a halfcaste called Robert Barlow, who, in consideration of the reward ottered by Government, which still held good, volunteered to bring Winiata into the unrelaxing clutches of the law. The police, however, had not the slightest , idea that Barlow would dischaige his mission successfully, Winiata being very cautious about his movements, and not likely to approach too near dangerous ground, where the solitary efforts of one strong man would suffice to bring him within the grasp of his pursuers. The agency of Barlow, however, has pioved itself more effective than was anticipated. And the captor it would seem did not over-estimate his ability. After the lapse of about a month, during which time nothing had been hoard as to the mo\enients of either putsued or piusuer, Winiata the murderer has been arrested. The tale of his capture may be told in a very few words : Barlow proceeded up-country to Te Kuiti, where Winiata was staying, on the pretence of buying pi<js, and, when theie, made himself a jolly good fellow among the natives, distributing the stimulants of friendship fieely. He made exteiishe purchases in the pig line, and by other l^eans winch he adopted, doubtless coupled with the tact ot ln& being one of themselves, succeeded in woiking himself into their confidence. He then lemoved to his own settlement, about 25 miles from Kihikihi, wheic after some time, he induced Winiata to pay him a visit. Barlow discharged the duties of ho&t very liberally, and that ever availing agency among natives, waipero, wasused without limit, and thus lie was temporarily deprived of his&en&es. His captor lost no,time in having him bound hand and foot, and tying him on a noise, got on another hoise alongside and galloped off to Kihikihi with ins puzc, arriving there at about 3 o'clock on Tuesday moininu.

Winiata Realises His Position. Winiata did not realise the fc>oiiou& nature of the situation until he had arrived in Kihikihi. He then awoke from his fatal slumber, and his fiist thoughts were how to make good his escape. It is said that, on at nving in the town, Barlow, discovering that his captive had loosened his la&teiimga, pulled him off the horse, and thus (nought him to his senses. Constable James ITiunerty, on hoaiing a distiubancc outside the Alpha Hotel at 3.30 a.m., proceeded to whence the noise was issuing, and found two men struggling on the giound. These two wcic Winiata, who was completely naked, and ins captor. On learning from the lattei that the man with whom he was struggling was Winiata, he set to woik, and, with the assistance of Bnilow, conveyed him to the Constabulary bai r.wkt., where lie was chained to a bedstead, and put under an armed guard. Finnerty then | reported the matter to Major Minnett, who at 6 o'clock had the prisoner placed in the Government waggon and sent to Te Awamutu, well guarded by a strong poise of armed police. Constable Gillies there took him in chaige and brought him on to Hamilton by tram, wheic he arrived the same day and was lodged in the lock-up.

At Hamilton. After his arrival there, a large number of people went to the lock-up to \ icw the piiaonei. who did not seem in any way disconcerted by what had happened. He smoked his pipe and conversed freely. The following is an interpretation of a telegiam which he sent to Tawhiao :—"I have arrived here. It is for you to speak or act."

Winiata's Own Story. The prisoner was visited in the evening by a Maori linguist, to whom he told his version of the circumstances relating to the murder of Packer. He admitted he was "Winiata, and had worked at Oleghorn's at Epsom, where the murder was [ committed, but he did not commit the deed. He was inthe house on the morning the crime was committed. He had been a very good man in his day, and used to ling the bell at some of the district churches, until lie came in contact with a half-caste man named Harry, from the Bay of Islands, who led him astray. Harry proposed to him that they should minder Packer, but he dissented. Harry said he had a reason for murdering this man, but he could not say what that reason was. Winiata subsequently remarked that Harry had a great reason for murdering Packer, and on being further queried said that Harry had had a big row with the deceased on board a boat somewhere near Auckland, aud that Packer had given him a good thrashing. Harry had never been at Cleghorn's place, except on the occasion of the murder. They both started together, but Harry went on in front, and when lie '( Winiata) got .to Cleghorn's he found the man murdered and Harry gone. He got frightened, and fearing he would be punished for the deed he ran away. He went to an hotel at the junction of the Onehunga ancl Otahuhu roads, and found Harry there. They went outside, and Harry suggested that they should stay iv the paddocks during the day, and the people would then think they wer,e only, looking , after cattle and sheep. Harry wanted him to go to the Bay of Islands, but he would not consent. He ,( Winiata) said to him, " Yon go to the -Bay of Islahds,"'and if you fere captured they cannot punish yon without me, ancl I'll never tell unless I am captured, myself.", They then parted, then made his, way along the Wash'orVto some gVavel-pits'-nea'r Otafyuhitj'whjere' he' r^maihe'd for five > days, ' going' oiifrat nigh t in search of food . "He then came' to the" Queen's "Redoubt by the > ■Grea^buth^Road, passing- niany people o'n'WiVw'ay,'aiVcl 'Bought some clothes" and food 'at, a store*^th'ere. , He followed the - road on to Rangifiri; *and ,, weni * into Shirley's hotel., f 'He' crossed the bridge- , int 1 o^ i N"gani^va'hiar^ >^n r d slept/ at- 'the , " Kamwhaniwlia^e'^on^hle.-ba'nt.ofvthe; ■Waipif'jTHe^lktjln^ing hefSwim ihe 4 ! .WaipU'atTemQ^ej/wHlteWfiia^fiVe^Qr^ sifWn ;r6'adi^al£|p^*af d^o^ffefe-he^ '

deceitful people}-having broken their promise by arresting Hiroki, whom he would like to have seen n at his meeting.

- Particulars of the Murder, , Edwin Packer and Winiata were working together on the farm of Mr Cleghora at Epsom. Packer was of respectable parentage in England. Both men quarrelled the day previous ,to the murder. Winiata had robbed his follow-wol'kman of £2 10s, of which he was accused, and this led to the row. Packer went to bed as usual on the evening of the 26th, a\id in tho morning was discovered under a bush covered with wooden posts, in a frightful state of mutilation. Constable Gillies, who has taken such an active part in the capttue of the murderer, was in charge of the body after the murder. Winiata made his escape good, and though all the roads and byways weie carefully watched by police and cnilians, succeeded in getting into the King country. >

Remanded to Auckland. Winiata was brought before Mr Northcroft, on Tuesday, and remanded to Auckland. He left Hamilton yesterday morning by train.