A LEAP TO DEATH

Gisborne Times, Volume LX, Issue 9728, 11 June 1924, Page 5

A LEAP TO DEATH

MAORI MURDERER’S FAREWELL

“I AAI READY TO DIE!”

WHANGAREI, June 10. The circumstances surrounding the death of Ruki Pene, of Waima, were the subject oT a corouial inquiry this afternoon.

The police' testified that on June 0 tlie deceased returned to his home, had an altercation with his wife, then procured a stone and, battered her bead, resulting in the woman’s death some hours later. Pene then deT camped. The police were summoned, the search proceeding all night, tieceased being at length located at 8 a.m. in a tall macroenrpa tree, whereupon Pene cried out, “I am ready to die; good-bye Kelly!” He then dived into the creek below, a distance of thirty feet. The creek contained only a foot of water and had a rocky bed. Pene was obviously badly injured. He was conveyed by road to Ivaitoke, and thence by train en route to Whangarei for medical treatment, but expired during the journey at Whakapara. . A Maori witness testified that when he saw Pene in the tree!* the latter exclaimed, “Don’t let any Alaoris come near me; take all my horses, saddles,' bridles, 'everything, and flay expenses. lam ready, now, goodbye !’’ Then he took a Ifbadlong plunge. Dr. Ward gave evidence to the effect that a post-mortem revealed a fracture at the base of the skull, also that deceased had been suffering from pneumonia, affecting the left of the lung. Death was due to shock and injury to the brain. A verdict was returned in accordance with medical testimony. The doctor subsequently expressed the view that Pone might have murdered his tv Me while lie' was in a state of dementia due to pneumonia.—P.A.