CHARGE OF MURDER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11446, 8 December 1897, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER.

[Feb Press Association'. I AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. The Makutucase at Taupe has developed into a charge of murder against a young woman named Ngapaki, who is said to have seriously assaulted another Native woman named Moananui, on Dec. 2, at Waitekame, between Taupo and Tokaanu. It appears that these two women were bathing in the lake together when the accused, it is alleged, attacked the deceased in the water, trying to drown her, but failing that attacked her with a block of pumice, bruising her considerably about the face, which is alleged to have caused death. The women were friendly disposed previously. It is supposed that Ngapaki, who had recently been confined, had made a request to the deceased, and upon being refused, and as the result of bathing, shejlost her reason; hence the attack which resulted so disastrously. According to some Natives’ testimony, deceased is supposed to have bewitched the accused. A Native constable is located near Waitotoki, and the delay that has occurred in reporting the affair is somewhat surprising, but the Natives had concluded that it was the work of evil spirits. Constable Eyan has had great difficulty in getting at the facts of the case owing to the reticence of the Maoris. After a long search he managed to effect the arrest of the accused late last evening near Paiotatapu, or nearly fifty miles from the scene of the alleged murder. The woman will be brought before the local Justice of the Peace and probably remanded for the Coroner’s investigation. Detective Chrystall has arrived from Napier to assist in the matter, and arrangements are now being made for a Coroner’s jury, and probabjy a post-mortem examination by doctor.