THE OPUNAKI MURDERER.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1252, 10 December 1880, Page 3

THE OPUNAKI MURDERER.

The Government steamer Ilinemoa arrived alongside the Railway Wharf, Wellington, at 11 a.m. on Saturday,having on board the Maori prisoner Tulii, the confessed murderer of Mies Dobie, at Opunaki. The Hinemoa had to lie off Opunaki for three days, before she could communicate with the shore. On Friday, the 3rd inst., the sea had gone down sufficiently to enable a surf-boat to be put off, and soon after the prisoner was brought down the beach, and, accompanied by a guard of one sergeant and two constables, taken off to the steamer, where he was lodged under the forecastle, which had been prepared for him. The steamer then proceeded to New Plymouth, and having landed a mail, left for Wellington at 6 15 p.m , where she arrived as above. When rounding Halswoll point a number of persons made their way to tho wharves, many going to the Queen’s Wharf under the impression that she would come alongside there ; but when it was ascertained that she would go to the Railway Wharf no time was lost in shifting from one to the other, A detachment of police, under the direction of Sergeant Anderson, took up its position in good time and prevented the crowd from getting near the gangway. Police Superintendent Shcannnn was also present. When the Hinemoa had come alongside and the gangway been put out, Colonel Reader went aboard and ordered the prisoner to be brought out After the lapse of a few moments, Tuhi made his appearance, looking somewhat sullen and defiant, but evidently quite willing to do whatever was required of him. On seeing the crowd which had gathered on the wharf an expression of sarcasm, strangely mingled with pleasure, seemed to flit over hia face. He was quickly taken to a cnb which stood in rendineea at a short distance from the wharf aud conveyed to the gaol, where he was lodged in one of the cells recently erected for the safe keeping of prisoners awaiting trial. He took a great deul of interest in what ho saw on the way, and evidently admired the Empire City, as. he expressed his feelings of satisfaction whenever he passed a building of unusual dimensions, or a shop the windows of which were very tastefully arranged. The crowd on the wharf, we should have said before, behaved in a very orderly manner, a desire to sec Tuhi being evidently the only motive for the gathering. A few Maories were present, but they, too, kept quiet, with the exception of a stout old woman, who indulged in loud lamentations. Tuhi is about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, of more than average height, and well and strongly built. His face is beardless, and the complexion is a shade lighter than that of tho average Maori. He appears to be intelligent, and attractive than most young men of his race. His dress consisted of a stripped cotton shirt and a checked shawl, which was gathered around his waist, leaving hie legs bare from the kness downwards. His head was not covered, his hat or cap having probably gone astray on the trip down. While on board tho Hinemoa he made a statement which throws ad ditionol light on his motive for taking the life of Miaa Dobio. lie said that after he had obtained the money from her lie left her, and was going down an incline towards the spot where he left his horse, when Miss Dobie called out after him that ehe would tell tho soldiers what he had done. Afraid of being punished he thereupon returned and committed the crime of which he i 3 now accused, in order to avoid being taken up and punished. How he miscalculated his chanco of escape is, of course, already known. —New Zealand Times.