ETERNAL TRIANGLE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 10

ETERNAL TRIANGLE

WAIPIRO BAY TRAGEDY

NOTE OF CONFESSION FOUND

SCENE OF FORMER MURDER

(By Telegraph—Press Absociation.)

GISBOKNE, This Day

In connection with the tragedy at Waipiro Bay as a result of which three Maoris, George (Hori) Smfth, aged 49, his wife, aged 25, and George Taylor, aged 45, met their deaths, it is reported that on Saturday a note written in Maori and signed by Taylor was found on his body. Translated, this read as follows: "It is on account of the bad treatment I received from this woman which decided mo to do away with the three of us. Good-bye all." Also on tho piece of paper was a prayer. It is presumed that Taylor lay in waiting for the Smiths as they came along the beach, there being signs in the bed of a creek that somebody had been sitting there for a time. Hori Smith received the full charge of shot iv his face, neck, and chest. Apparently the charge was fired from a range of 10 or 15 yards. Mrs. Smith was shot in tho middle of the back at close range, and must have been killed instantly. Nearby was a small fire. Smith came from Tolaga Bay,_ and was not of a quarrelsome disposition. His wife, Hinehou Smith, was known as "Girlie" Smith and was ,a lighthearted Native. They had one child between eight and nine years of age. Smith was a resident of Tolaga Bay and his wife came from further up the coast. George Taylor was a native of Hiruharama, Jerusalem, near Kuatoria. He had been working in the Tolaga Bay district for some time. A few weeks ago a scrubeutting contract was let to Smith's father to clear a block of land at Tauwharcparac, near Tolaga. Among the.workers in the gang were Smith and Taylor. During the progress of the work Smith became incensed at Taylor's attitude towards his (Smith's) wife, and a quarrel led to Taylor walking out of the camp, accompanied by Mrs. Smith. SMITH'S MOVEMENTS. Smith made an effort to prevent his wife leaving with Taylor, but the attempt was unavailing. Lately, however, Smith heard that Taylor had been treating his wife badly, and determined to make a further effort to induce the woman to return. He left Tauwhareparao camp iiyo or six days ago, and since then nothing further had been heard until the news of the tragedy became known. From information received from Waipiro Bay it appears that Taylor borrowed a gun and three cartridges from a neighbour on Friday, saying that he was going to shoot cattle. It seems evident from signs discovered that he hid in a creek on tho beach until Smith came along, and shot him at 10 or 15 yards range Some four miles away wero the remains of a camp fire, and Mrs. Smith's body was found near it. Taylor's body was found 50 yards away hanging from a tree by means of a bridle rein. The theory is held that the woman was shot while tending the fire. . An inquest was opened this morning, and after identification of the bodies, was adjourned until October 30. MURDER OF 1388. Smith's body was: found at Matahu Point, which is also known as Pooks Point, through its connection with a triple murder in ISBB. Mr. Pooks was a storekeeper and with his wife and child lived on the premises. A Native named Hira To Pore went to the store and purchased articles which were subsequently found wrapped on the counter. He was served by Mrs. Pooks, who apparently refused to give him credit, Ihe store being known for its insistence on cash payments. Evidently a dispute arose, and Pero battered Mrs. Pooks to death with an iron bar. Pooks arrived and rushed to the assistance of his wife, but both were savagely attacked with an axe and their heads almost severed. The Native then went upstairs, found a child in bed, and dashed its head against a bedpost, inflicting fatal injuries. Pcre was subsequently executed at Napier.