UNKNOWN.

Marlborough Express, Volume LII, Issue 169, 20 July 1918, Page 6

UNKNOWN.

A CHATHAM ISLAND CASE. }

Four Natives of the Chatham Islands have been charged with tohungaism,-resulting in ' the death of another Native, a woman, and have been committed for trial at Christchurch on a charge of manslaughter. The accused are Hare Piwari, Peter Piwari, Kati Piwari, and Pitau Panirau, who were charged before the Chatham Islands Magistrate's Court on July 3rd with assaulting and wounding one Ria - Horomona Rebe so as to cause her death, thereby committing the crime of manslaughter. Lengthy evidence was called to the effect that the four accused, with other members of their family, had acted with a view to expelling an evil spirit with which the deceased was supposed to be afflicted.

At the inquest on the body of tho deceased held previously, the jury had found that her death had been caused by persons unknown.