EAST COAST TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4405, 16 October 1934, Page 1

EAST COAST TRAGEDY.

TWO MEN AND A WOMAN

FOUND DEAD,

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Gisborne, October 15. Whareponga, a. small Maori 'illage, near Waipiro Bay, about 80 miles north of Gisborne, was the scene of a triple tragedy on Friday, when George (ITori) Smith, aged 40 rears, 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 srub-cutting camp at Tuwliareparae, near , Tolaga Bay, 36 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 lighthearted 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 Hiruharanm, near Ruatoria. Ho had been working in the Tolaga Bay distiict 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 Mrs Smith. Smith made an effort to prevent his wife leaving with Taylor, but the attempt was unavailing. Recently, however, Smith heard

that Taylor had geen treating his wife badly and lie determined to make a further effort to induce thewoman to return. He left Tauwhareparae camp five or six days ago and since then nothing further had been heard until the news of the tragedy became known. From information received from Waipiro Bay it appears that Taylor borrowed a gun and three car-

xidges from a neighbour on Fri

day, saying that he 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 were remains of a camp fire, and Mrs Smith’s body was found near it,

death being caused by a sho

wound. Taylor’s body was seen about 50 yards away, hanging from a tree by means of a bridle rein. The theoiT 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 Detective McLeod left yesterday morning for the scene of the tragedy and had not returned early this evening. Smith’s body was found at Matahu Point, also known as Pooks’ Point, through its connection with a triple murder in 1888. Mr' Pooks was a store-keeper and with his wife and child lived on the premises. A native named Hira Te Pere went to the store and purchased articles, which were subsequently found wrapped on the counter. He was served by Mrs Pooks, who apparently refused “tick,” the store then being known by its insistence on cash payments. Evidently a dispute arose and Pere battered Mrs Pooks to death with an iron bar. Pooks arrived and rushed to the assistance of his wife, hut both were savagely attacked with an axe and their heads were almost severed. The native then went upstairs, found the child in bed and dashed its head against a bed-post, inflicting fatal injuries. Pere was subsequently executed at Napier.