MAORI TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 21881, 19 November 1934, Page 14

MAORI TRAGEDY

DEMENTED YOUNG MAN KILLS WIFE THEN TAKES HIS OWH LIFE [Per United Press Association.] GISBORNE, November 18. Another tragedy on the East Coast, the second within a few weeks, occurred this morning, when a Maori killed his wife at Tokomaru Bay and then committed suicide. The previous tragedy, which was further up the coast, resulted in a Moari man and his wife being murdered by a third Native, who committee! suicide. The victims of this morning’s shocking affair were Mrs Hane Karauria and her husband, Whare Karauria, both aged twenty-five years. It is stated that Karauria had been depressed of late, and his wife, becoming afraid, had asked two married couples related to Karauria to live with them. Six adults and several children slept in the one room. About 7.45 this morning Karauria and his wife and Lena Karauria. a sister of Karauria, and several children were in the house, which is'about one mile from the township. Mrs Karauria washed the breakfast dishes and then went into the bedroom, where her husband was. A few minutes later Lena Karauria heard the sounds of scuffling in the room. ' She saw Karauria trying to push his wife away. Seeing that Karauria had a razor in his hand, Lena Karauria rushed to the assistance of her sister-in-law. She wrested the razor from him, and then, fearing for the safety of the children, ran into the garden with the two eldest. She then came back for the youngest child, which was lying m its cot. Lena then saw Mrs Karauria lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She seized the youngest child and called out to her brother, Alexander Karauria.. who was Sitting on the verandah of a house about 150yds away, and he rushed across. ’

On his arrival it was found that Karauria had locked the front door of the house, and the brother climbed in through the window. He found Mrs Karauria dead omthe floor and Karauria dying with a knife in his throat. The latter expired a few seconds laterThe indications suggest that Karauria was apparently attempting to cut his own throat, but was stopped by his wife. When Lena Karauria wrested the razor from Kim, he seized a sheepskinning knife, stabbed his wife and cut her throat. Karauria then slashed his own throat, and followed this by driving the knife into his' neck above the collarbone and forcing it up into the throat.

Alexander Karauria telephoned to the Tokomaru Bay police. Sergeant Sparks, accompanied by Dr Mackay, of Te Puia Springs, arrived on the scene shortly after, but nothing could be done.

The murderer, Where Karauria, was also known as Barlow Karauria. He had an impediment in his speech, and often believed- that he was being ridiculed because of this affliction. His father died six months ago, and this is believed to have preyed on his mind to such an extent that his condition necessitated medical attention. He subsequently recovered, but it is stated that he was again despondent this week. He was a waterside worker at Tokomaru Bay, but had had very little work of late. His wife was a Native of the Hauraki district.