NATIVE SUICIDE AT WAOTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1891, 19 August 1884, Page 2

NATIVE SUICIDE AT WAOTU.

A few days ago a suioide of .a somewhat extraordinary character, and under somewhat peculiar circumstances, occurred at the Waotu. A native youth named Pouroto Aramakaraka appears to have encountered some trouble or vexation in a love affair, and his grief is said to have worked itself into a very high state by a liberal indulgence in rum. He left his settlement near by, where the Ngatingaronga people are camped, and though he was suspected to bo "out of sorts" with himself, no one thought it necessary to watch him. A short time after two shots were heard, and a number of natives proceeded to tbe spot from which the reports came. They arrived just in time to see the unfortunate young man fall dead from the effects of a third shot which was fired as they came up. The two first shots had bsen fired by way of warning the settlement th.it there was something going on ; the gun had then been tied to a fence and a string attached to the trigger, and turning his back to the muzzle the unhappy suicide effected his purpose just a.s his friends came on the scene. The young man was well connected and was of considerable rank. He was very well liked in the district, and the natives all regret his loss.