YOUNG MORI'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16496, 23 March 1917, Page 4

YOUNG MORI'S DEATH

VICTORIA VALLEY MYSTERY.

BODY BURIED IN A COFFIN.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ■' ■""- t ." ' '-. ,'- KAITAIA. Thursday. The Maoris arrested on Tuesday on. a charco of murdering Mitai Aperahama at Victoria Valley on August 14, 1913, are Eru rafcuone ' Aperahama, . Huru Hohaia, Eeta . Aperahama, '.' Te Koni Heteraka, Rameka Maioeue, and. three women Heinaima To Koni, Ripeka Aperaliama, and Marama'Horima. The arrests were made bv Detective Cummings, assisted by Native Constables Kaka and Hetaraka. The men were lodged in the Kaitaia gaol to-day, -and the women have been released o.i bail.

The victim of the alleged murder was a ptrone younc man, 22 years old. It is alleged that, on the night of August 14, 1913. the accused jumped on him in a whare, and. finding that lie was dead, buried the body in the bush. When inquiries were made for Mitai Aperaliama, thev said ho had gone to Whangaroa. Hearing of this, the natives at the latter ■place denied all knowledge of him, and recently came over to Victoria Valley to make inquiries. As a result, the body was found. The police were informed, and the partly decomposed body was exhumed. It was contained in a wooden coffin. The deceased was last seen aJive by other persons prior to the day of the alleged murder.

An inauest regarding the death of Mitai Anerahama was opened to-day by Mr. H. H. Thomson. Evidence of identification was given, and the inquest was adjourned to march 28 at Kaitaia Courthouse. .