CHARGE OF MURDER

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 54, 5 March 1901, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER

THE MAORI TRAGEDY.

SUPREME COURT TRIAL

At the Supreme Court criminal sessions to-day the Miranda Maori murder trial was continued before Hi* Honor the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and a jury of twelve. Rawiri te Ua, a (native man, was charged with that he did on or about December 27, at Miranda, murder his wife, one Hihi Kiwi. The Hon. J. A. ToJe conducted the prosecution. Mr J. ft. Reed defended the prisoner. Mr George Brown acted as interpreter.

An amount of evidence was given yesterday afternoon after we went to press. Dr. Jas. Dalziel, of Pukekohe, deposed to examiningl the body of the deceased when it was exhumed- The under jaw was fractured, there were contusions on the head, and he found n clot of blood at the back of the brain, between the broin and the skull. Tlie fracture of the jaw would have been caused by a blow, not a. fall. He was of opinion that the injuries were not caused by the woman falling from the horse. The blows on the. head must have been delivered several times; The injuries would be consistent with the bumping of a person's head on the stones that were lying about. Such injuries could not have been caused by one kick of a horse. Constable C. Stanyer, of Mercer, also gave evidence. The jury were locked up for fhe night. THE DEFENCE. This morning was occupied with the case for the defence, which was briefly that the woman Hihi Kiwi had come to her death through falling from her horse and, being kicked by the horse while she was on the groundThe prisoner, Eawiri te Ua, gave evidence on his own behalf. He said his wife had seven drinks at Tamati Wiremu's store, at, the Miranda, before they left to return to their* home. Prisoner was not unsteady or intoxicated when 'he got home. The death of his wife was caused by a fall from her horse. The horse galloped away with her on the beach, when she was on her way home from Tamati's place, and she fell off on the stones and was kicked by the horse on the head. He ("Rawiri) went to her assistance and with the assistance of Tamati bathed her head and put her in the saddle again to go home. He took her some distance alonsr the beach. A little further on she fell forward on her horse. Wit* ness took her off and laid her on the ground and went home for "his daughter. Tamati Wiremu saw the accident. A number of people came to the beach, and Patu, a woman, accused him of bpatinsr the woman and allowim? her to lie on the hearh. TTp flprri-fl H. nnd at the fnrifn he again denied insinuations of the port. Several ofber -witnesses. inHndrne the son nnA Hrrvfhftr of the accused, gave evidence *ot fho <Wence. (Proceeding;)