SHOCKING MURDER AT OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 66, 27 November 1880, Page 2

SHOCKING MURDER AT OPUNAKE.

[Specially Telegraphed to Stab.]

(feom our own correspondent.)

Opunake, Yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon, Mary Dobie, a sister-in-law of Major Goring, went at 2 p.m. for a walk towards Te Namu alone. On not returning at 6 p.m., a party was organised, and bon-fires were lighted along the coast line. After searching for several hours, at 10.30 p.m. found the body about forty yards off the main road, near Te Namu pah, with her throat cut from ear to ear, and hie quite extinct. The body presents a dreadful appearance.

A man named Stannard, from Hawera, has been arrested on suspicion. - His clothes bore traces of blood, and he was known to have passed the scene of the commission of the offence at or about the tune. Hone Pihama's daughter saw a horse, with a saddle on, tied at the scene of the murder.

Colonel Boberts, Mr. Hursthouse, and Hone Pihaina have just returned from the scene. They found an old saddle, and a bunch of wild flowers, evidently gathered by the deceased. Blood was found from ten feet to forty yards off the road, and the ground shows traces of a desperate straggle. The scene is within a hundred yards of the uninhabited pah of Te Namu. Great consternation and sympathy is expressed. The coroner is on fclie road here. Mr. Hursthouse, Government surveyor, has been very energetic in pursuing inquiry ; also Colonel Boberts and Hone Pihama.

8 p.m. Captain Wray has arrived, and decided to adjourn the inquest until to-morrow.