HORRIBLE MURDER.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 123, 30 October 1847, Page 2

HORRIBLE MURDER.

On Saturday morning last, the inhabitants of Auckland were greatly excited by the report of a murder having been committed on the North Shore, attended with circumstances of the most shocking and revolting character. Lieutenant _Snow, his wife, and daughter, resided for some considerable period in a raupo house, near the powder magazine. They were very generally known and respected, and_ when it was rumoured that their premises were destroyed by fire, a general feeling of sympathy pervaded tho community. It was not, however," until after the discovery of the bodies, that the suspicions of the public

were aroused. Horror and dismay filled every heart, when, intelligence was authentically promulgated, that Lieutenant Snow and his family had been barbarously murdered. It appears that shortly after midnight, on Friday, 22nd instant, the watch on deck of H. M. S. Dido, were attracted by a fire in the direction of Lieut. Snow's house. On the circumstance being reported to tho Captain, he directed a boat's crew to proceed on shore to render assistance, and so intent were those who proceeded to oxecute these orders, upon the object in view, and so utterly xmsuspicious of any thing like foul play, that the departure of two canoes from a bay in the immediate vicinity was unnoticed. It is evident that the officers and boat's crew displayed a praiseworthy vigilance, and that no blame can possibly be attached to them for allowing the canoes to depart, because the idea of any thing beyond an accidental fire would not have occurred to their minds, ! and the bay, being much frequented by the ' natives as a fishing ground, canoes arriving and departing at all hours of tho day and night, the departure of those seen on this , occasion was not likely to attract special attention. The details of this dreadful affair will bo found in the report of the pro- [ ceedings at tho Coroner's Inquest, we are I therefore spared the necessity of narrating the particulars. On Monday the 2yth instant, the bodies having been, brought from the North Shore to the town, an Inquest was held at tho Caledonian Hotel, Eort-street. The room was filled with military and naval officors, several members of Government, and respectable civilians, and unusual interest as to the result of the investigation was evinced. At 11 o'clock, the Coroner, Dr. Johnson, took his seat, and tho following gentlemen were sworn as Jurors: — Dr. Campbell, Messrs. Mitchell , Iiadlow , Forsaith, Hughes, Hart, Hayes, Mcars, A slier, Duff, Kecsing, John Williamson, and Jas. Williamson. Dr. Campbell was chosen Foreman. The Jury having viewed tho body of Lieut. Snow, witnesses were callod, who gave evidence as follows : — ■ Thomas Duder being sworn, states, I am the signal man at the signal station on Mount Victoria. I live near the house of Lieut. Snow, lately burnt. I identify the body before the Court as that of Lieut. Snow. I last saw him walking in his garden on the afternoon of Friday the 22nd. instant. I did not see him alive again, but I saw his, and two other bodies taken out of the fire. I saw neither Natives nor Europeans near the house that evening. He told me about eighteen months since, that he had had a quarrel with some of the Oraki natives, who said they would burn his house. Benjamin ILker being fworn, states, I am a quartermaster on board H.M. Frigate Dido. I was on the middle watch on the morning of the 23rd instant. About 1 o'clock I observed a light like that of a candle or lantern in the direction of Lieut. Snow's house. About three minutes afterwards the centinel at the gangway said there was a fire on shore. I mentioned the circumstance to the officer of the watch, who directed a boat to be lowered immediately, which went ashore. Before the boat from the Dido reached the shore, however, I sawtwo canoes pus.li out from the bay to the eastward of the burning house, they separated at the mouth of the bay, one kept its way down the liver, close to the north head, which I think it rounded, and the other pulled straight across. I could not distinguish the number of people in them. It was bright moonlight at the time. I saw with my glass distinctly that they were canoes, they were not more than a quarter of a mile distant. I saw a schooner at the time working up towards the town, the canoes did not approach her, nor did any boat leave her, and 1 saw her nearly reach the town. I heard neither voices, nor the barking of dogs previous to my seeing the light on shore. Frederick William Gough being sworn, states : — I am a Lieutenant on board H. M. Frigate Dido, lying in the haibour of Auckland. I was on the middle watch on the morning of the 23rd instant. The midshipman of the watch reported to me between 1 and 2 o'clock, that a house was on fire. I immediately got on the gangway ladder, and observing the direction, knew it to be Mr. Snows. I I then went down to the Captain and reported the circumstance, he ordered me to take the cutter, and do every thing in my power to extinguish the flames. I left the ship with all possible speed, and on landing, went up to the house with the men. I found the house burnt down and no person there. On which I gave directions for water to be brought up from the beach, and for the men to assist in extinguishing the flames. I then with Mr. Peacock and two men went to the farm house inhabited by Mr. Oliver, I rapped at the door and asked if Mr. Snow was there, the answer was this is not Mr. Snow's house. I replied, I am aware of it, but don't you know that his house is burnt down ? He expressed his astonishment, and immediately came out dressed. I then ordered Mr. Peacock to proceed to the signal post, and ascertain if Mr. Snow was there, and return immediately. I then proceeded to the lire, and about five minutes after being there, the signal man and Air. Oliver came there with Mr. Peacock, who reported that Mr. Snow was not to be found any where. I then asked Mr. Oliver in what part of the building they slept, and on being pointed out, we commenced extinguishing the flames at that part by water from the beach , and with the assistance of a shovel found on the premises, first discovered the body of a male, then that of a child, and afterwards that of a female ; they were about a yard and a half distant from each other, with the remains of blankets over them, and part of a pillow beneath the head of the female, of which the feaLhers were untouched. The different layers of ashes and other substances above the bodies were taken off carefully. I am quite certain that

the shovel was never driven down with force near the bodies. I observed in addition to the bodies being much burnt, that the tliiah of the male was broken, and one of the legs of the female wanting ; and I had them laid out near the fire, in charge of a midshipman and two men. I did not see any canoe 3 leave ihe shore, but saw two canoes nt anchor in the bay, both on landing and returning to the ship. Tbese canoes were subsequently brought on board, with their crews, consisting of men, women, and children. Not more than twenty minutes elapsed from the alarm being given, to my landing. Henry Peacock being 1 sworn, states : — I am a Naval Cadet on board H. M. Frigate Dido. I was in the middle watoh in the night of tiie 23rd inst., and accompanied Mr. Gough on shore to the fire. I knew Mr. Snow, he had a fowling-piece in his house. He told me that the Natives had threatened to burn his bouse down, because he would not permit thrm to light a fire near the Magazine. He also told me that they came to burn his house, but th.it he turned them out with a bayonet fixed on a stick, and showed them his gun. I drew a charge of swan shot from the gun some days since, and got it cleaned on board the Dido, where I retained it until yesteiday. William Oliver being sworn, states : — I reside on the North shore, about a quarter of a mile from the late Mr. Snow's house. I saw the deceased on the beach on the 23rd instant. I did not see him since until I saw his body taken from the ruins of the house, to which I went when awakened by Mr. Gough. I saw no natives about the place that day. He'told me once that he had a qunrral with the Natives some months back. On the night in question, I retired to bed at nine o'clock, and awoke a short time before Mr. Gough came, but did not hear any noise, nor barking of a dog. I could hear a dog barking at the house on a still night, and could hear loud voices. William Warburton : — I am Clerk on board H.M. Frigate Dido. I knew the deceased Mr. Snow, he told me that he had a quarrel with the Natives, who insulted him, and he Licked them out of his garden. On the night of the fire, I accompanied Mr. Gough on shore, and from near the burning house saw a canoe, with two or three people in it, moving about in front of the bay to the east of the house, and I remarked that it was stringe that they had not cuiiosity enough to land and see the cause of tbe fire. Geo ge Bronbeck being sworn, states : — I am captain of the mizen-top of H. M. Frigate Dido. I was coxswain of the cutter when they went on shore the night of the fire, and a short time before we landed I saw a canoe with two people in it pull off fiom the shore two hundred yards to the eastward of where we landed, and it made right across the river. I Baw no other canoe leave the shore at the same time. James Harp being sworn, stares : — I reside in nd. I ki,ew Lieut. Snow. This day fortnight 1 met Mr. Snow, and in conversation with him he told me that a native had entered his house and took a loaf of bread, that he scuffled with him and kicked him out, and that the Native, in going down the path from his house, shook his clinched fist at him, and. threatened him with retaliation or destrnction. William Bankes Fegan being sworn, states :— • lam Acting Surgeon in H.M. Frigate Dido. I was requestad by the Coroner on Saturday the 23rd instant to inspect three bodies lying near the late residence of Mr. Snow and family. On Saturday I went to wl ere the bodies lay ; the male supposed to be that of Mr. Snow. On examining the head and neck, I perceived two or three incised wounds by some sharp instrument used with considerable force, the edges of the wounds in question were charred, proving that they had been given before the action of fire took effect on the body. The muscles at the back of the neck were also cut tluough to the bone. Under the right ear there was a punctural wound by a sharp instrument, penetrating to some depth. The head was enveloped in a rag which was not cut through, and had been adherent from coagulated blood before the action of the fire took place. I am of opinion that the wounds described were sufficient to have caused death. There are also marks of blows and incisions or deep cuts in the forepart of the face and chin sufficiently deep to have caused death. The abdominal muscles were also cut away by means of a sharp instrument, and apparently removed. la the left hypocondrial region there was the mark of a punctured wound, probably a spear wound. There were also two punctured wounds below the left shoulder blade. — I came on deck when the alarm of fire was given, and after being a short time on deck, a canoe or boat shot out from the bay, and went across the haibour in a southerly direction. John Clifford being sworn, states : — I am Staff Assistant Surgeon to the troops stationed at Auckland. I was directed by the Coroner to examine the body of Mr. Snow ; which I did this morning. I observed an incised wound on the back part of the head, around which there was coagulated blood, and below which the scull was fractured to the extent of o crown piece, the aperture communicating with the brain. lam of opinion that the wound just described, with several other, punctured and incised wounds about the head, neck, and body, were sufficient to have caused immediate death. I R. H. Wynyard, Lt.-Colonel, being sworn, states: I am in command of the 58th Regiment stationed in Auckland. I went yesterday to ths scene of the late. fire, and on proceeding into the garden, I found some clothes, which on examination proved to be the under clothes of a female, and a pair of stockings marked H. S., one completely saturated with blood, and untouched by the fire, and in an ou!-house, part of a child's dress, like part of a pair of trowsers, spotted with blood, and unburnt. I rolled up the clothes and brought them here. They are now produced before the Court. Tamati Weoro being sworn, states :— I and my companions arrived at night in the bay near the North Head, on the 22nd instant. My companions went on shore to sleep ; I and another remained ia the canoes. I saw no canoes come into the bay that night, nor any canoes leave the bay, but I heard the voice of Euiopeans when the boats arrived. John Rogers being sworn, states : — I am gunner on board H. M. Frigate Dido. I was roused by the alaim of fire on shore, and I went in the boac that left the ship to the shore. The canoes that were taken to the ship, Jay to the westward of the magtzine. Ido not think that these canoes could have seen any canoee lying in the bay to the eastward. Tho Coroner and Jury then proceeded to view the bodies of tho female and tho child, and having returned to tho Inquest

roonT~T Ilomas l^dcr v-'asv-'as recalled, and bcin«* sworn, gave evidence as follows :— T have seen the body of a female now before the rourt I recognize it to be the body of Hannah Snow,' wife of Lieut. Snow. I can identify the body bv the hair and general appearance. John Clifford being recalled and svrorn, deposed : T was" directed by the Coroner to examine the body of a female found dead amid ths burnt remains of a house on the North Shore. I found the body much burnt, and a large wound, extending from behind the ear to the angle of the mouth, which had fractured aportioD of the skull, and thejjaw, and severed tbe arteries. There was also a punctured wound under the chin, and the abdomen was perforated so ai to expose the viscera. I am of opinion that these wounds mußt have been given prior to the action of the fire, aud that they are of a depth and extent sufficient to have caused instantaneous death. Thomas Duder re'examined, states :—I believe the body of the child now before the Court, to be that of the daughter of Lieutenant Snow. I judge so from the spot where it was found, and from its size. The name of deceased was Mary Snow. I John Clifford re-examined, states:—I was directed by the Coroner to examine the body of a child this morning. I found the body much charred, and several wounds inflicted about the legs and extremities. On examining the skull, I found a fracture of the back part of the head, and small quantities of the brain protruding at the angles. lam of opinion that the wound just described, was sufficient to have caused death. This closed the proceedings, and the Jury without retiring, returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder" a"ainst some person, or persons unknown.