MURDER OF A NATIVE GIRL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 4045, 29 October 1874, Page 9 (Supplement)

MURDER OF A NATIVE GIRL.

On the 17th Oct., information was conveyed to town that a Maori girl named Henrietta Tepuni, aged 16, had been killed by a Maori named Newton, at the Kohimarama settlement. The information was forwarded by the Orakei chief Paora Tuhaere, with intelligence that the offender was in custody, and guarded until the arrival of the police authorities to take charge of him. Mr. H. Kemp, the Native Commissioner, accompanied by Detective Ternahan, at once proceeded to Orakei in a cab, and on arrival were met by Chief Paul, who stated that the tragic occurrence had taken place on the 13th. An enquiry had since been held by the natives, the result being that Newton was ordered to be handed over to justicc. A boat was manned at the instigation of Chief Paul, and the accused brought to town in custody of Detective Ternahan. He was landed at Vvynyard Pier, at about four o'clock, and conveyed to the police station, the prisoner apparently being perfectly unconcerned. From enquiries made on the spot by a member of our staff, it appears that tlio accused Newton had a passion for the Maori girl. Newton is, apparently, between 40 and 50 years of age, and the girl under 17 years. The affection was not reciprocated, and attention is stated to have been paid ! her by another Maori named Pirika, to whom she was favourably disposed, and who is much younger than Newton. This exasperated the latter, and on the night in question, after watching her in company with his rival, Newton sought her out, and angry words followed. What further transpired is known only to himself. Later he was heard to call to the girl s father and mother, while, to a little girl who was looking for her, he stated that she was dead. Assistance arrived, and the girl was carried into her father's house, suffering from injuries received, and which she did not long survive, resulted as already stated. The Maoris round about the settlement are very much concerned at the tragic end of the poor girl. The Crown enquiry into the cause of the deceased's death occupied two days, when the coroner'r jury returned a verdict of " wilful murder" against the prisoner Newton. The evidence of Dr. Goldsbro' shewed that death was caused by injuries inflicted by violence to the spinal column. The injuries were such as might have been caused by the neck being twisted, or by failing from a height, but were not such as would be self-inflicted. There were no fractures I found about the head or limbs, and the body was so far decomposed as to prevent, the ' discovery of external marks of violence, .had any existed.