EAST COAST TRAGEDY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 October 1934, Page 8

EAST COAST TRAGEDY.

Two Men and a Woman Found Dead MURDER AND SUICIDE (By Telegraph—Press Association). GISBORNE, Last Night. Wliarcponga, a small .Maori village near Waipiro Bay, about 80 miles nprth of Gisborne, was the scene of a triple tragedy on Friday, when George (Hori) Smith, aged 49 years, his wife, aged 25 years, and George Taylor, 45 years, met. their deaths, the two former being, found dead from gunshot ’wounds and the last-named being found hanged. All were. Maoris. The tragedy apparently is the sequel to a quarrel some weeks ago in a scrubcutting camp at Tuwharcparae, near Tolaga Bay, 30 miles from Gisborne. Smith came from Tolaga Bay and was not of a quarrelsome disposition. His wife, Hinehou Smith, was known as “Girlie" Smith and was a light-heart- ■ cd 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 Hiruharaina, near Buatoria, He had been: working in the Tolaga Bay district for some time.

A .few weeks ago a scrub-cutting contract was let to Smith’s father to clear a block of land at Tauwhareparae, near Tolaga Bay. Amongst the workers in the gang were Smith and Taylor. During the progress of the work Smith became incensed at Taylor’s attitude towards his wife (Smith’s) and a quarrel led to Taylor walking out of the camp, accompanied by Airs. Smith. Smith made an effort to prevent his wife leaving with Taylor, but the attempt was unavailing, Decently, however, Smith heard that Taylor had been treating his wife badly and he determined to make a further effort to induce the woman to return. He left Tuwhareparao camp five or six days ago and since then nothing further had been hoard until the news of the tragedy became known. From information received from Waipiro Bay it appears that Taylor borrowed a gnu and throe cartridges from a neighbour on Friday, saying that ho was going to shoot cattle. It seems that he hid in a creek on the beach until Smith came along, when he shot Smith at 10 or 15 yards’ range. The next signs were discovered some four miles away, where there wore remains of a camp fire, and .NF•«. Smith’s body was found near it, death being caused by a shot wound. Taylor’s body was seen about oO yards away, hanging from a tree by means of a bridle rein. The theory is held that the woman was shot while tending to the fire. An inquest was opened this- morning and after identification of the bodies, was adjourned till October 30. Inspector Martin and Defective McLeod loft yesterday morning for thcsccno of the tragedy and had not returned early this evening. Smith’a*.body was found at Matahm Point, also known as Rooks’ Point, through its connection with h triplemurder in 18SS. Mr. Books 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. Hewas served by Mrs. Books, who apparently refused “tick,” the store then being known by its insistence on cash payments. '' Evidently a dispute arose! and Pore battered Mrs. Books to death witli an iron liar. Books arrived and rushed to the assistance of Iris wife,, but both were savagely attacked withan axe and their heads wore almost severed. The native thou went upstairs, found the child in bed and daskits head against a bod-post, inflicting, fatal injuries. Bore was subsequently executed at JSiapicr.