THE EAST COAST MURDERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2563, 13 December 1888, Page 2

THE EAST COAST MURDERS.

Odr Raglan correspondent writes:—Upon the receipt of the sad news on Friday afternoon of the dreadful murders committed at Waipiro, and resulting in the untimely death of Mr and Mrs Frank Pook, the greatest excitement prevailed over here. A telegram having been received from Gisborne, directed to Mr A. Gilinour, a message was at once dispatched to let Mr T. B. Hill know of tho event, and he at once left his place at Ruapuke for the residence of Mrs Swan, the mother of Mrs Pook. He broke as gently as he could the sad news to her, but words avail not to relato how the poor mother's heart was rent by the dreadful tidings. Mr Hill, after staying some time, returned hsme and found tho Rev. Mr Stephenson there, ho having received a telegram from Mr W. Duncan, of Auckland, requesting him to break the sad news to Mrs Swan, but being late he did not go out to Papunui, Mrs Swan's residence, until next norning. On Saturday a large number of settlers arrived in the township, all most anxious to learn fuller particulars of the crime, as both Mr and Mrs Pook were well-known here and highly respected. Mr Pook was engaged on the Te Akau Station for some years, coming here directly after his arrival from England. His parents do not reside in Raglan, as was stated in your Saturday's issue. Mrs Pook was a daughter of the late Captain Swan, and niece of Capt. Fairchild. This fearful crime has cast quite a gloom over the district, and the deepest sympathy is felt and expressed by all tor the bereaved relations.