A FEROCIOUS MURDER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FEROCIOUS MURDER.

Nkvv Plymouth, April 13. A ferocious murder was committed io the recreation grounds on Friday, the victim being an old maa named otepbea Maloney. The deceased was a discharged soldier, having served in the Ciitnsa. He lived alone in a small cottige in the grounds and was last seen alive on Friday at noon. Ho was missed on Friday night, and a search was made for him on Saturday afternoon, when his body was found lying in J«ane fsra and scrub .shout 50 chains from his house. Marks of violence ware found on the bod} - , but were not at first considered to l e of a Berioas character, and there was little blood visible. The post mortem to-day revealed that the deceased had been horribly murdered. Nine cuts were found on the head; none of them, however, fractured the scull or penetrated the brain. Ilia windpipe had beau smashed to atoms by some blunt instrument, as there was no external out, cut severe concussion. The theory is that the murderer used the blunt end of a small tomahawk, inflicting repeated blows on the throat with it, which covered the windpipe, but no severe external wound was observed. The deceased was a native of Kerry, Ireland, and had been in this Colony over thirty years. He was decrepit, and could not walk without a stick. His stick aud hat were found about sis or seven yards farther in the scrub. When the body was found it was noticed that one of the pockets had bean turned inside out, and deceased’s purse (empty) was foanl near the body. The motive for tho crime was evidently to obtain money. Tho police have- arrested a Native named Mitu Kai, who was liberated from gaol 14 days ago, having served a sentence for house-breaking. Marks of blood were found on the Maori’s troopers, and he was seen in the locality ou the day the murder was committed. The deceased told the keeper of the recreation grounds that a Maori he did not know bad called at his bouse alone on Friday morning, aad he had given him his breakfast. He also sa d the Maori told him ha was employed doing some work in the recreation grounds. The keeper told the deceased that the Maori’s statement was untrue, as no Maori had bean working in the grounds. The police are engaged in getting up the case, and it is expected that evidence will be adduced at the inquest (which commences on Monday) sufficiently strong to commit the Maori for triff. The murder is supposed to have been committed with deceased’s own hatchet, which bears tho marks of blood upon it. The deceased was a i-ecipient of charitable aid, and had no relations in the Colony. New Plymouth, April 14. A Maori named Mihi Kai was charged this morning in the Police Court with tho murder of Stephen Maloney, tho old man who was found dead on Saturday afternoon in tho Recreation Grcunda. Inspector Purdy said the police had evidence that tho accused was seen in the Recreation Ground on tho day of the murder, though he strongly denied that he had been there since Easter Monday. The police were collecting evidence which would go to prove that the accused was seen coming from the grounds'about the time tbs murder is supposed to have bean committed. * He asked for a re. maud till Monday next. In the meantime an inquest could be held, aud perhaps additional light thrown on the deed. Ac. cased was remanded. The police are trying to get evidence in the murder case, but so far they have nothing very tangible. A handkerchief was found onjthe prisoner which, it was thought, might afford a clue, as tho deceased was supposed to have one identical, but this proved incorrect, as the handkerchief could not be identified. From further evidence it appears that the prisoner has been spending money somewhat freely since the time of the murder, and it was known he had not money before. He has so far failed to satisfao. torily account for the money. He says his father, in Parihaka, sent it to him ; but this is not believed, as ho has made several different statements, another one being that his brother gave him the money. It is now thought probable that the ' deceased had several pounds in his possession at the time of the murder, as a few days ago he offered to lend a person £5, the offer, however, not being accepted. The police have ascertained that a girl going to the High School on Friday met a Maori in tho Recreation Groand. The prisoner has not yet been identified by the girl, as she has not seen him since his arrest. She will be taken to the police station to-morrow for tho purpose of identifying him. The funeral of the deceased will take place to-morrow. Subscriptions have been raised for the purpose of giving him a decent burial, otherwise he would have to be buried as a pauper.