THE MONGONUI MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1110, 5 June 1867, Page 4

THE MONGONUI MURDER.

As yet no cluo lias been discovered as to tho perpetrator of this horrible deed at the Victoria "Valley. Detectivc Crick returned to town yesterday by the schooner Ivanhoe, and lie informs us that the whole affair is involved in mystery. The rumour about the naiive woman having informed against her husband as the assassin, is unfounded, and no truth whatever can be placed upon the statement. The following is the report of Detectivc Crick :— Auckland, Juno 4, ISG7. Sir, —In my last, date I the 20th utt., I stitod that I was about starting again for Victoria Valley, but was unable to do so owing to tho heavy rains there by causing tho rivers to swell to sucli an extent that the roads were in consequence quite impassable. Moreover I could not procure a horse, and was in consequence obliged to leave Mongonui on foot, accompanied by your interpreter, Kelly, who was on horseback". We left on Thursday, the 23rd ult., and on arriving at Oturua I obtained a horse and proceeded on to Maugatuo re settlement, where wo arrived at dark and stayed all night; found there only sis or seven Maoris, the chief and wife having left some days previously for Ahipara. On Friday left early for Mr. Uopday's, in whoso employment the man Farrar is. Having obtained a search warrant wo searched the place thoroughly for tho missing boots; found a pair which wa3 thought to be the identical pair, tut was subsequently infornie-l that tlioy were Farrar's own property. Had a long conversation with Farrar, but nothing of any importance could be elicited. Left for liu iroa settlement, calling on our way at tho scene of the outrage, and made another search, but could arrive at no clue. Arrived at liuaroa ; found a number of natives and Europeans (surveyors), where wo were obliged to stay owing to the heavy rains, during which time wo had long conversations with the natives, but could not obtain any information beyond that which had already been obtained. Tuesday, 2Sth.—After obtaining our horses, Mr. Kelly and I left for the Victoria Valley, where we arrived, and waited on Mr. White, lt.M., according to arrangement, and all proceeded to Ahipara (North) to hold the native court. Arrived at dark on the following morning (Wednesday), about 10 o'c'ock; found a number of chiefs, assessors, and other natives" assembled, but nothing relative to the late murder could be ascertained beyond what had already transpired. I may mention that both Europeans and natives strongly suspect tho person (European) who has been recently discharged from custody, owing to insufficiency of evidence, together with fir. Philson's examination of the- clothes, as mentioned in my former letter. Thursday, 20th — Left Ahipara at 10 a.m. for Mongonui, calling at the different settlements on our way, but nothing had transpired of any importance- Arrived at Mongonui about S p.m. Found that a report had been circulated, to the effect that I was hourly expected with a native in custody, and charged with tho murder. I beg to state that nothing of the bind ever transpired, and I may also mention that this rumour arose out of my examining a native and his wife— the husband being suspected of the murder, but who satisfactorily accounted for himself, being corroborated by other natives. Hearing that the schooner Ivanhoe had arrived in Wangaroa and was expected hourly in Mongonui, I accordingly requested Mr. White, R.M., to allow mo to return to Auckland. Tho Ivanhoe left Mongonui on Monday at noon, and arrived in Auckland at noon tho following day (Tuesday),—l am, &c., Wsr. Chic ?, Detective.