The East Coast Tragedy.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 233, 11 December 1888, Page 2

The East Coast Tragedy.

FURTHER DETAILS THE PREVAILING EXCITEMENT. AN IMPORTANT ARREST. As a certain result of the East Coast tragedy there has been quite a ferment of excitement ever since, and we have become so accustomed to hear the question “Any further news?” that it has become almost unheeded, though of course instantly any news of extra interest does come to hand it is made known tn the public. Some extraordinary stories are going round in town, and expanding as they travel, but in most instances there is not a shadow of foundation for them. There is everyth ‘re the deepest indignation expressed and the possibilities of the scoundrels escaping is regarded with' a forboding of future evil. People have all kinds of theories to propound as to the cause, but many of them are so wide of the mark as to be absolutely ridiculous.

EXCITEMENT UP THE COAST. It is hard to imagine the excitement that has been created along the Coast. Though many of the settlers say that this case is a ve/y exceptional one and they would have never have thought it possible, they express an earnest hope that the culprits will be captured. If the police are not successful in this, those settlers express grave fears that in future times the worst class of natives may, prompted by their savage nature and tempted by the isolated condition of the surroundings, resort to evils from which a perfect immunity was formerly felt. Indeed some of the more nervous women have become alarmed, and wish to leave the place, but directly the first excitement cools down this semi-panic may also he expected to subside. There is really no ground for such alarm ; but it may be in an outlandish place like that in which the murdered people lived, a suprise that people are nut sometimes afraid. THE DISCOVERY. John Swan, a brother of Mrs Pook, had left the station with the intention of paying a visit to Gisborne, which place he had not yet seen. His intention was to come through with Mr William Bailey; but naturally he wished to pay his sister a visit before he made the journey. He went to the store early on Thursday morning, the 6th. He was astonished to find no sign of activity, and knocked at the doors without receiving any answer. There was no smoke coming from the chimney and Mr Pook’s horse whs roaming about with the saddle and brid e on. Swan then grew alarmed, and the truth da wnra upon him that there was something serious the matter. He looked through the bedroom window, and saw the boy Bertie lying, on the floor, and assumed that the child must have fallen out of bed and hurt himself. Sv.l i went into the bedroom and found the child lying unconscious. He then rushed to the schoolmaster’s house, about a mile distant, and they returned together. The back door was forthwith burst open, and an entry made to the sh >p. Imagine Swan’s horror when the terrible scene was presented to him ! He could hardly believe he was in his right mind, and indeed he was for the moment driven almost to the verge of madness. There was his sister lying before him, a corpse so dreadful in appearance that had he seen it in a strange place he might not immediately have guessed that it was one who had been so near and so dear to him. Such a horriblespectacle met his view that were he to live for ages it must ever be imprinted on his mind as though it were a thing of yesterday. He paused for a moment, was he mad or dreaming ?—the thought was only for a moment, for the dreadful reality of what was before his eyes could not long remain as an indistinct object on a mental vision suddenly blinded with the most bewildering and agonising grief. So great indeed was hia mental abstraction that he did not recognise his sister’s husband in the dead man over whom the body of hia sister was lying. The heartrending tidings were then soon conveyed to the world without. THE SCENE. We shall spare our readers any minute description of the scene—a consideration for the sensitive feelings of many of our readers, and a delicate regard for the feelings of the relations, restrain our pen. It need only be said that the scene was horrible, that traces of human blood were everywhere visible in the shop, the poor woman’s head was almost severed from the body, being only retained by the skin, the brains protruded from the scalp wound, and Mr Pook’s head presented an equally dreadful appearance. Mrs Pook’s body was lying across that of her husband. Besides 4he splashes of blood there were bloody footprints plainly visible from thi bodies to the front door of the shop, th.i prints bring only of one person. That person had evidently made use ot the bar used to secure the shop door of a night, to inflict the first injuries, and when the brutal crime had been completed he had gone and carefully barred the front door. His sickening traces then return and prove that the murderer came out the back door, which he locked after him, and either took the key with him or hid it. The tracks were visible outside, but of course could not be followed far. A sheath knife that was found had initials cut into the handle. An axe and tomahawk were also discovered.

WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE ? With regard to the statement telegraphed by our correspondent that the actual murderer had been arrested and intended to turn informer, it appears to have been a misapprehension. One of the Maori cattle drivers wh > acted very suspiciously, was first arrested, aud we suppose, went to point out his mares to the police, and our informant concluded that he had given evidence to warrant the arrest of his mates.

We are still further confirmed in our previously expressed opinion that p under Wts not the primary cause of the crime, by its having now Deen discovered that three rings belonging to Mrs Pook (which were supposed to have been stolen) were left in the house, and cheques aud notes to the amount of £29 were also found to be all right. Mr and Mrs Pook were on excellent terms with the natives, but they had made a resolve not to give any credit, and with a few Maoris this possibly did not cement friendship. Mrs Pook had, previous to her death, expressed fears that they would be murdered some night, and Mr Pook was very much depressed, on his wife and child’s account, after the acquittal of the fellow who broke into the store six or seven months back. Amongst the papers found in the premises was a sheet of foolscap written upon by Mr Pook, and on which he stated be was not satisfied with Me Booth’s decision in the case and felt anxious as to the future. The couple had worked very hard to make a comfortable hume for themselves, and were fairly well succeeding, in spite ot the hardships. Mrs Pook was exceedingly wall liked by all who came in contact with her, and besides being very energetic and hardworking was of a kind aud homely nature. AN OUTSIDER’S OPINION.

There was great excitement in Gisborne when the news was made known through the medium of the Standard. The horrible assassinations were the sole topic of discussion in town to day, and a great many townspeople expressed themselves in no measured terms regarding the outrage, a large number wishing that Lynch law was the established rule of the country. The Pooka were well-known here, and their friends were almost struck dumb with surprise on hearing of their being murdered. The murder can only be the act of uncivilised Hauhaus of savage tendencies, and it is surprising that any one, even natives having a knowledge of the laws of the country, should commit such atrocities for the plunder, knowing full well the penalty they would have to pay for their crime. These murders call to the minds of old residents of the district the atrocities committed in the old days by the natives, and particularly the Poverty Bay massacre, which is now a matter of history.—N pier News. Our contemporary may give rise to an er roneous impression, in connecting the recent atrocity with anything that occurred in Te Kooti’s time, because in the crime under notice there is hardly a Maori along the Coast who does not honestly condemn it. In fac', it would dangerous to adow the murderer or murderers to got into their hands, because instead of shielding them they would most likely be submitted to a punishment which would be abhorrent .to the European mindt

POOR BERTIE. Bertie Pook was a pretty, intelligent child just past four years of age. He was rather big for one so tender an age, and he was a w bright, playful, affectionate little fellow who had only to come in contact with a stranger to win a place in his heart—a child with whom men would delight to play and humor, and one whom women would be at once enticed to fondle and caress. He knew nearly a'.l the Maoris by sight, and had hs lived might have given information that would at once have wound an undeniable chain of guilt round the necks of the foul murderer or murderers. But, alas! from the time he was discovered until he was taken by the hand of Death, there could only be the one opinion that it would be a happy release to him. Everything possible was done for the poor little fellow, and kind sympathiser! were assiduous in the r devo’ed attention, but all to no avail, and though it may seem hard to say so, we think the end was a welcome one for the little sake. From the time he was left for dead until his death he never regained consciousness, and not a word escaped his lips. Tiie convulsions were continually upon him, but a few hours before death they grew fainter and fainter as the end drew nearer, and he passed away quite peacefully, being a pretty though sad, picture to look upon. INQUEST ON THE BOY. On Sunday morninfc an inquest was held on the body of Bertie Pook, before Mr Kenny J.P. and Coroner, and the following jury : — Messrs Keefer (foreman), Houlden, Craig, R. Moore, C. Lew<s, and Spurdie. George Richard Nazer deposed that he was a cousin of Mrs Pook, mother of the boy Bertie. He identified the body they had just viewed. Bertie was four years old. Dr Innes deposed that he had first seen the boy Bertie Pook on Friday morning, &t Pollen's house. The boy was unconscious and suffering from convflU He had been in attendance up to ’cleat which took place about 6 on Saturday night. The boy never recovered consciousness nor did the convulsions ciase. H« had marks of violence—the external ones were slight. The injury to the brain wa< the cause of death, lie had made a pjst mortem examination, [’he "oly w *s fairly nourished —there were ho ex ernal marks of violence except upon the head. Over the left eye was a slight scalp wound, about halt an inch long, and an abrasion ot the left upper lip. 411 the left side of the face was bruised. At the angle of the right jaw was another abrasion. On removing the scalp there was found an infusion of blood corresponding with these bruises; and also on the back of the head, •I Which there were no external signs. On rem iving the skull-cap he found nothing until he came to the base of the skull where he found a fracture—the base is round tne neck j *int. The fracture was ou the right side. The cause of death was fracture of the skull. There were clots of blood in the ventricles of the brain. He was inclined to think a blunt instrument had been used, because the injuries were so distinct, bUL the child might have bean dashed against something. John B jurke deposed he had flrat seen the boy about 3 p.m. on Friday. The boy was then unconscious. He had seen the child at later intervals, and was present when he died. Sergeant Farmer gave formal evidence. Dr Pollen (who had just arrived from the Coast) was asked to give evidence. He deposed he had made an examination of the bodies of the late Mr and Mrs Pook, at Maiaahua. Both had mortal injuries about the head and neck. Mrs Pook’s head was completely severed from the body and was omy hanging on by the skin. The skull was caved in and the brain protruding. The man had his throat cut on both sides. In both cases death must have resulted from these injuries It was impossible for the injuries to have been selt-iuflicted, or the result of accident. < INQUEST ON THE ADULTS. The Coroner explained that the present enquiry was of a formal nature, so as to enable the body ip be buried. He did not think they would have any diffioiilty in bringing in a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. They had the evidened that the injuries could neither have been suicidal or accidental—therefore it must have been murder. If a person died within a year and a day from injuries received in thia way the person committing those in juries would be guilty of murder. The jury immediately brought in a verdict of wilful murder against some peraon or parsons unknown.

THE FUNERALS. The bodies af Mr and Mrs P >ok were in terred on Saturday aftemoou, ab u f . 150 persons attending the funeral. Mr Booth read the burial se> vices. Toe body of the little boy was buried in the Makaraka cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the service being read by the Rev Father Kehoe. The funeral was numerously attended. AN IMPORTANT , Altogether six arrests.on suspicion have been made. One made by “ Cocky ” seems] o be of an ominous nature. The fellow had >n a light suit of clothes which hesaysheboug it at Pook’s store on the Wednesday. He sa fs that his brother gave him a cheque, but his brother had no cheque or money. The suspect had also some loose silver on him, whi ;h he cannot account for. He also had a stick of Juno tobacco, which could only have 'ieen got at the store, but he affirms that he bo ight it there. On the light clothes there were some splashes of blood, but the trou ers could not be found, those he had on w >*n arrested being an old pair. The natives siy the Maori alluded to was wearing a checked pair of trousers on thn terrible day, bu( trousers cannot be found and he refue^^R say where they are. A boot belonging to the same native also corresponds with the bloody f lotprints, and in one place where it is w*rn on the sole is a corresponding abse ice of blood on the flo >r. The boot is a watertight, with nails on the sole, these being worn in some places. The other boot which the Maori wore was an odd one. This Maoris name is

HERA TE PERE, and be is a brother to the fellow who triefl to rob the store some months bact, whom Mr Booth acquitted. The former worked for a num -er of years for Mr J. Harding, who says he always behaved well while in hie employ, and he could plac? every trust in him, though he knew the brother to be of little account. The other natives say Hera has now followed ;< iu the steps of his brother, and is an arrant scoundrel. The brother has also been arrested, but there is no actual proof against him so far. In any case he will be a vauable witness. Hera had been playing cards on the Wednesday, and one of the other Maoris had complained that he had not sufficient clothes, when Hera said he wouldget some that night. RECORD OF PREVIOUS MURDERS. The following is a list of murders committed by natives in the East Coast district of late years, none of which, however, are as to be compared with the present crime Rana Terahiua—Killed in a fight by Tamatj Puni on April 4. 1882, at Waiomatatinl, Convicted for manslaughter. Hohomona—Shot by Naera ta Wheru at Whakatira on February 25,1883. Convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to penal servitude for life. Edward Neave—Shot by W. Rowland on the 14th May, 1886, at Ahikakarika. Sen tenced to death, but sentence comxfluted to imprisonment for life. Heremia Nuku and Riria Houbarangi— Shot by Aporo Paerata, Te Hau Porourangl, and Te Uri Marango at Kaitara, January 30, 1887, for alleged witchcraft. All the were sentenced to death, the sentence afterwards being commuted to penal servitude for life. tfiMEKE Turei — Shot by her husband, William Turri, at Waiomatatini on July 18, 1888, who was afterwards found dead in the bush close at hand, having committed suicide. The verdict of the jury was/elo de se, the only verdict of the kind returned by a jury in this district. On arrival of the Coroner on Friday evening a jury consisting of Messrs Dadgshun (foreman), Pettie, Liddle, Gellender, Neilson, and Hewitson, wm empannelled, and after the bodies were viewed the inquiry was adjourned to the following morning. Several witnesses gave eyidenoe, but no fresh facts were elicited and after a short deliberation the jury re» turned a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

TUTA NIHONIHO EXPLAINS. [TO THE EDITOR.] Sir,- I have this day returned from Wellington and have seen nn i ame in your paper in corntction with tome ire ub e Baid tn have taken p’ace Ixtwfen mxßnlf and the late. Mr Pook, of Mataahu, about a parcel of goods. Now listen, my friend, this Mr Pook and his wife, who were murdered, were the same to me as if they a ere my own brother and sister. During the years past there has been no trouble between us. on either side. So far from such being the case, his child was named after me—Frank Nihoniho Pook. I now a>k you who pu' this bad talk (or news) in your paper? Now listen again, I, Tuta Nihoniho, captain of the Ngatiporou Native Contingent (or Militia), although my akin is black (ie., Maori) my heart is better than some Pskehas’. and it is painful to me to have to publish this, in consequence of the murder of my fi»m friend, his wife and child. I am now going to proceed up the Coast to •ean-h for the man or men who committed this foul deed, let them be Maori, half-caste, or Pakeha *, and if the murderer or murdeiers run to the Maori King I will be there, or if they run to Te Kooti Rikirangi I will be there (i.e., I will follow them there). It might be tiresome to you if I were to write all my thoughts. Henare Tuta Nihoniho. Captain Native Militia. Gisborne, December 10. [With regard to the above, we are happy to think that a serious mistake has been made, nor could we in the fi-st instance imagine it possible for the statement, as made, to be true. In his interview with Captain Nicholas, that gemleman informed our reporter that Mrs Pook bad told him Tuta was among those who bad threa’ened her, and our reporter, in ignorance that there was more than one Tuta, husum* d that it must be the well-known Tuta Nihoniho. We deeply regret any such mistake should have occurred, but feel ‘hat the high respect in which Tuta was held and the devotion and loyalty which he has eter shown in times of peace ai d proved in times of trouble, would at once make the mis ake apparent to those who know Tuta Nihoniho, and there are few who have no> heard of him In face of the letter above, more ne*d hardly be added than to again axpress regret that it appeared.]