A MAORI TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 258, 29 October 1907, Page 4

A MAORI TRAGEDY.

SEQUEL TO A CHRZSTEN^g-

WOMAN CHARGES WEB, MURDER, 'S

(By T?legraph.-Own_Correspo n aent.)

DARGAVILLE, this day A fracas, resulting in a;'-"w"JT 7- • curred on Saturday at mJ^ ged Z?«miles from DargaviUe caS?X %0 of Watene Reihana, Amative t' 8K was being held in „-** christening ceremony. Early ih fi.~ • • * ing Reihana had wife, and walked away to an Ir-••* store-house, his wife eeedmg m a similar direction 4h T bridle in her hand te catch fcaaSS? Shortly afterwards the meetinghouse, his face covered with blood and exclaimed, "I am killed." ]i first the natives thought deceased: had been stabbed, but investigation discloses" that his injuries had not been caS*, a sharp instrument, and it is alleged that his wife struck him with the bridle ,ffi lay down, and an hour later partook of * little food. Then, complaining of .ffhiesi he proceeded to the door, and fell scious. Restoratives were applied bnt were futile, and Dr. Story was summoned from Dargaville. The doctor attended Reihana, and made arrangements for-his removal to the hospital for an operation and he was present when Reihana expired the same night. The -wife of the deceased who had been to a neighbouring settlement, returned, not anticipating a fatality, and. on learning of. her husband's death, swooned. An inquest was held yesterday,- and a verdict was returned that death had resulted from the effects of a heavy hlc%. Peti Watene was arrested, and was today brought before justices charged murder. The police application for a remand for one week was granted. Reihana was aged 47, and his wife's age is 46... There are six children. ° Accused is a woman of high rank, being a member of the well-known Patuawa family. She feels her position acutely..