SENTENCE OF DEATH.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 10, 2 July 1887, Page 2

SENTENCE OF DEATH.

The Crier then proclaimed ; Oyez 1 Oyez I Oyez 1 AU manner of persona are commanded to keep silence while judgment of death is pronounced by the Court on tho prisoners at the bar upon fine and imprisonment. During this proclamation his Honor had put on the black cap, and then amidst, a most impressive silence in the hall delivered sentence as follows Aporo Paerata, Te Uri Maerangi, Te Hau Porourangi: It is not for me to consider whether or not the Crown will deem that the extreme sentence of tho law, which it is now my duty to pass, should be carried into effect. Whatever may be the course taken, it is to be hoped that the trial may leave a deep impression on your race, and that they will not fail to see that Maori custom affords no justification or excuse for breaches of the law, however committed, and most certainly not in a case of this description. The sentence upon you, Aporo Paerata, is that you be taken from here to the place of execution, and be there hanged by the neck until you are dead. The words were repeated to Te Uri and Te Hau.

The sentence was taken very quietly by the prisoners though Aporo looked extremely dejected and Te Uri was crying. To the astonishment of all, just as Te Hau and Aporo were about to leave the box, Aporo, after pausing a moment, as if he had not made up his mind, said “ I wish to say something. It is now nothing. The jury nave found out whp.t they have found out.” Every body expected a confession was about to follow, but Te Uri said to him “ Stop, leave it to Brassey (prisoners’ counsel) and Aporo then continued “ That is all I have to say.” Auer conversing with their counsel, and speaking to Mr Jones, they were removed by the gaoler.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE PRISONERS. Te Uri Maranga is a son-in-law of the woman Erena, who was charged with being an accessory before the act, and belongs to the tribe of Te Aetanga 0 Mahaki, Aporo Paerata belongs to the same tribe. He has been in trouble before, and is a bit of a spieler in his way, being an adept at billiards and cards. Te Hau Pororangi is also of the same tribe. The murderers’ victims were HeremaiNuku and Hiria Te ho, his wife, who belonged to the Whakatohea tribe. Nuku and his wife had been down here for some time previous to the catastrophe, having been, it is said, expelled by their own tribe, at Opotiki, for alleged witchcraft. The victim of the alleged witchcraft was a young man named Meihare Parehe,. a son of the prisoner Erena, and brother-in-law to Te Uri Maranga. Te Uri is the only married man, Te Hau is a mere boy, and Aporo is about 30 years of age.

SENT TO NAPIEB.

The prisoners were taken down to Napier last night by the s.s. Te Anau, Further reference to this case will befouu d in our leading and other columns to-day.