THE BRUTAL MURDER IN TARANAKI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 30 November 1880, Page 2

THE BRUTAL MURDER IN TARANAKI.

(by telegraph.) THE INQUEST. Opunake, November 29.

When the jury met at 8 a.m. to-day, they were informed by the Coroner that further evidence, which would take at least, two hours to obtain, would render another adjournment absolutely necessary. Mr. Hursthouse stated that to ride to the pah would take at least an hour, and he might require more than the hour to return, if the man (witness) wanted was obstinate.

Yesterday a coafc was found by Constable Taylor in Tuhia's whare with blood stains on both sleeves, and on the breast. The inquest was continued. Mr. Wilson Hursthouse deposed : The body was 42 yards from the edge of the metal on the main road. He observed blood on the flax bushes within three yards of the road, I had a conversation with Tuhia to-day. He was wearing the trousers (No. 2) at the time I had last seen him. Honi Piliama pointed out the spot where the black horse was tied up, which was not more than 50 yards from where the body was found. Sergeant M'Keon said that he had met Walter Stannard on the evening of the murder, and that the latter's horse's nose was bleeding at the time. He noticed his clothes were sheared with blood, and also a small piece of flax in Stannard's boot. Sergeant Elebert deposed.: My wife and I searched the body of deceased. There was a bone bracelet op the wrist apd a ring on the finger, but nothing in the pockets of the dress. I omitted to examine the pockets of the overskirt. Sergeant Day deposed : I examined the trousers Tuhia had on when arrested, They were torn. I found stains of blood on the prutch of the trousers, also on the right knee. I also found a long human hair attached to the trousers—in my opinion from a European. It corresponded in color and texture with the hair on deceased's head. I examined the person of Tuhia, and found an old wound on the outside of the ankle of his right foot. It would seem to be about a week old; I noticed on the leg of the trousers I (moleskins No. 1), on the outside, a quan-1 tity of Blood and other matter, such as '

would correspond with this wound. I arrested both prisoners, but neither of them made any reply \vhen charged with the offence. The hair I found is about five inches long. Aubrey Harvey, ostler, recognised the bridle last produced as the one he had lent prisoner.

By the Foreman : Was that the coat prisoner wore on the 25th 1 Witness : It was very similar to that, with side pockets. He had parcels in his pockets. A flask of brandy fell out of his hand. I did not see the bar of soap. He might have had a cake of soap in his pocket. About twelve o'clock he was wearing a hat. Examined by -Sergeant-Major Bullen : Prisoner struck a match in the stable. The box was a three-penny box of matches. I feel sure it was a new box. It appeared full of blue headed matches. Prisoner seemed in a hurry. He went south towards Emanuel.

Bayley Coffey, recalled : I saw accused frequently on the 25th. During the day he said he had no money several times. He spent no money and had no stores previous to his return to Opunako with Honi Pihama, about 4.30. Since my previous examination I believe I recollect having served him with a tin box of matches for threepence. I also believe he paid me ■ for it with a threepenny piece. In my stock we have only blue-headed matches, and could have sold no other. It is possible that the threepenny piece received from Tuhia would remain in my possession from the 25th up till Monday (this) morning,' but it is unlikely I gave Carey a threepenny piece since as change. This is the coin handed in. It has marks believed to be blood, and scratches, apparently in the attempt to obliterate stains. Carey drew my attention to it. At the time when the deceased Miss Dobie purchased the lead pencil like the one produced, I gave her as change out of sixpence a threepenny piece and an English penny or two English half-pennies. I met Tuhia on the 25th, after 5 p.m., and he came back with me to my store. He was asking for matches and other things to be put down to his credit, but I refused to give him credit. He was at my shop a little longer. He asked for a paper box of matches, and I gave him one. They cost a penny eaoh. He tendered an English halfpenny, saying he had no more money. I told him to go home, and accepted the money. By jurors : I give and accept tokens, but to a lady would give small ohange, silver or Knglish money, lam sure I took this threepenny piece between Thursday and to-day, , Constable M'Carthy sworn : I had deali ings with Tuhia for a bay horse about six weeks ago. At that time the horse had broken its bridle, which was old and rotten, and was mended at the throat band with a string of flax, like the piece produced. I believe this to be the bridle on prisoner's horse at the time. I tried to mepd it six weeks ago. I again saw the bridle when found, before Tuhia was arrested, and as soon as I saw it I said that is the head-stall of the bridle which wa3 on the Maori's horse, which I was trying to buy some time ago.. Did not remember the Maori's name. The prisoner is the same man. I knew he was suspected svhen I first recognised the bridle.

Tuhia : When did you first see me with that bridle 1

Constable M'Carthy : I saw the bridle when you were selling me the bay horse. Prisoner : Do you think this bridle the same as the one on my hoys§. Witness ; I chiefly noticed the throat band, which is similar. Prisoner : Did I sell you the horse ? Witness : No.

Constable Ross deposed : This bridle was put on the prisoner's horse when arrested by liis father. Prisoner saddled his own horse.

Constable Knowles, rgQftlled : Visited Tuhia's whare yesterday. This coat was found in the whare. Passing by the guard-tent on my return, prisoner noticed the coat under my arm, and he said in English, " That is my ooat." I saw stains, which I believed to be blood, on the cuffs. sleevQ, and tail of the coat. It was not concealed, and did not appear to have been washed.

Mr. H. Middleton, recalled : I recognise the coat as one worn by prisoner, but do not think it was worn by him on Thursday morning. Saw prisoner Tuhia take his coat off between one and two o'clock, The coat he was then wearing seemed heavier. I could not swear positively that he was not wearing this coat. I saw no money on him that day. Constable Taylor, recalled, said prisoner was wearing that coat on Thursday last, when he saw him. Witness thought the stains were blood. He considered the coat a light double-breasted tweed coat. Prisoner further directed him to his whare. He was quite sure prisoner wore that coat. Prisoner's wife said Tuhia brought home nothing but a bar of soap. Constable Ross said he found the piece of bridle produced about five yards from where the body was discovered, on the 26th. The hair on the brow band appears to be off the bay horse. Mr. Coffey, recalled by a juryman : I have had no accident to my hand within the last four days to cavise blood to flow.

Bona Matui sworn ;■ I know Tamati Kameroni, He lives at Matakai, about half a mile from the Telegraph Hotel. He is deaf, I was at Tamati's whare on the evening of the 25th. I was gning in the direction of Tamati's when I was overtaken by Tuhia. I asked Tuhia to go with me to Tamati's whare for food, and we went together. Tuhia frequently was looking at the door, when Tamati asked him to remain there all night. I had seen him earlier in the day at the bar of the hotel. I remember the trousers (No. 1 moleskins). Tuhia was wearing them when I saw him at the hotel, X oannot say whether he wag wearing them at Tainati's whare, beeause it was dark. I did not notice his ooat. I noticed the trousers because Tuhia had a swelled foot. The foot was noticed by me and mj 7 father." We asked him what wa3 the matter with his foot. This called attention to his trousers. Do not know if he had two pair,s but was certain he had moleskins on. I know they are Tuhia's, because they are moleskins. They were then torn at the knees, bu.t not like what they are now, I saw no blood on them like that on now, I saw prisoner between the time of Honi Pihama's arrival, and on going to Tamati's. He was not then drunk. It was daylight. He had not those trousers on. I did not observe at that time, but I think he had trousers on ; he certainly h&cl not the moleskin trousers at that time. ]jloni Pihama was there, but X could see he had not the trousers that he had in the morning, Prisoner had rags on his foot. To prisoner : Yes ; you overtook me. I went to Tamati's and had some food.

Constable Whitemore deposed: I saw prisoner about half-past eleven on the 25ch. He had then on njolesldn trousers, also another pai? underneath. I can identify the oiitgide pair. The outside of the leg of the outer pair was torn, and I saw the striped patch on front of the leg of the underneath pair. He also wore the hat on the table. He had this coat on. Tuhia had a ahirt on. It was not like the one lie now has on. I did not see prisoner after 11.20 a.m., but heard him talking in Tamati's house that evening. I do not know any particular mark on this pair. They were not so much torn as now, but wer6 most torn about the seat and left leg; and no blood was on them. J would cognise this pair from others equally dirty and torn by this particular tear on the left log. JVTihi, wife of Tamati, sworn, said : I remember Tuhia and Rona Matua coming to my whare on Thursday evening and haying food. Tuhja appe&recl a.U right,

and not excited. It was dark, and I did not notice his clothes.

Emanuel Bayley, storekeeper, swd : J saw prisoner first on the forenoon of Thursday. I am certain that is the coat worn by prisoner. I know the coat bocause I sold it to him. Ho had a pair of trousers on, but I cannot say of what kind. Prisoner first came to my store about 8 p.m., on horseback. He then wanted a bottle of grog. He wanted goods also, but I refused them. He then said " Good night," and left. He had no goods from my store that day.

John Stevenson said : Prisoner Stannard had helped to look for a stray horse of mine near Waitorie, about eight miles from Opunake. I passed Stannard near the Telegraph Office, Opunake, on tlio 25th, in the evening. I Baw Stannard again at the hotel table on my return. There was blood on his coat. He told me his horse had fallen while he was trying to catch a horse which had got away from a constable. Stannard showed me a cut on the horse's nose. He said he had caught his own horse, but had not found mine. Stannard had met a young lady somewhere near Tanganui. After 1 o'clock I went forward to Tanganui with Stannard and Newman, and near the Telegraph Oftico met a person, who said Miss Dobie had been found with her throat cut. Stannard was excited, and took out his knife. He said no one would attack him with that weapon in his hand, and also said if he had a good horse he would catch the murderer wherever he might be. Shortly after, I met Constable Wilson, who asked Stannard to return to Opunake with him. The cut on the horse's noso might havei been caused by a fall.

Tukurangata sworn said : I reside at Normanby, and was drinking on tho 25th with Honi Pihama's party from Parihaka. I saw a black horse on the seaward side of the road, near Tanganui, about GO yards from the road. I saw a saddle on the horse, but could not see if a bridle was on, as the back of tho horse was forward. The horse now shown seems in size and! color about the same as the ono I saw tied in the flax. The saddle looked dark and old like the one produced. I did not stop to look at the horse, but while looking at the horse I saw a black curly-haired dog and then turned and looked straight back. The dog seemed about 18 inches high. It came out of tlm flax from the direction of the horse. Thot dog was exactly like those with long ears. (Colonel Goring's spaniel produced). Wa then drove on towards Opunake at a. gentle trot, and came very quietly from the other side of the Tanganui. I first saw Tuhia on the other side of the second culvert from Opunake, where we pulled up for a little, He was riding a black horse, and overtook us there. I don't know where Tuhia came from. He had |on moleskin trousers. Both pairs of trousers might be called moleskin, No. 2 being patohed. He had a coat on, but I do not know what sort of a coat. I noticed his trousers were torn, because Tuhia koplt on pulling downtheright legof his trousers, which was tied round with flax. He wore* a hat like the one produced. Evidence having been given by Superintendent James and Mrs. Elebert, Dr. Carey was called, and said : I searched the body of Miss Dobie, with tho assistance of Mrs. Elebert. I examined the articles in the pocket, and found no blood. There ia not a stain of blood on the pocket which might have been communicated from some portion of the dross. I observed a punctured cut in the collar* I found a corresponding wound in the neck of deceased. Judging from the puncture, I should say it was made by an instrumrnt about half an inch in width. I found a large wound immediately below the lower jaw four inches in extent. The whole of the throat was cut down to the vertebral canal. Two attempts appeared to have been made to cut the throat, as a second wound had been made about two inches below the bugle of the lower jaw. There was another transverse wound about an inch and a half in extent, and also two, other small wounds along the breast, ©a the lobe of the right ear was a fifth super-, ficial wound. These were all the wounds on the neck. There was also a wound on, the second finger of the right hand aboutt am inch long. Death was tho result of these wounds. I examined every part of the body, and am possitivo no attempt at violence had been made. Tho underclothing was intact. Most of the wounds were on tho right side. The. knife marked "T.H" in my opinion had blood stains on it. That knife woulill inflict the injuries described. I revived the change from Mr. Coffey this moniiua: —a sixpence and a three-penny pioce. I noticed it had been scraped, as i.E to remove something which J took to bu l/iood. I cannot say in what position deceased may have been when the wounds woro made. She would have \een able to walk after receiving the smaller wounds on tho neck, but not after Mm larger. The first wound was a continual ion of stabs and cuts. Judging by the wound in the collar, that wound coulii not be made by a larger knife than this. lam confident tho wounds were not self-inflicted, The knifo I produced ia sharp enough to cause such Lwounds. The ring fitted tightly on tho, finger of deceased. The stain on 'ho. pocket might have been causeQ\ by & bloody hand being stuck into it,. but I should have expected the other articles to be stained. I have now examined tho stain on the right leg of the moleskin trousgrs found at the scene of the murdenv The contact of an old sore would produce such stains. I have inspected thft right ankle of the prisoner Tuhia,. and fiud a sore as would correspond with tb.e position of the stains on the trousers. I probed T.y finger into the wound opposite the hole in the ooliafto inches. The body would become nearly cold within three or four hours.

The Coroner then proceeded to read over the whole of the evidence taken in order to refresh the memories of t)io jurors, but some of the jurors thought such a course unnecessary, and tho Goroner did not press the matter. Ho was, he said, prepared to leave it in their hands. The minutes of tho evidence would be placed in their hands. The said : It wa3 the unanimous opinion of the jury that there wis no evidence whatever against Stan nurd, and it was their wish that he should bo at once released.

Sergeant-Major Bullofl produced «» affidavit from Mr. Q;Uo]e x of the Empire Hotel, Hawera, accounting for some blood found on ths eloth,es of Staunard. The C;ofoa,er said : : I congratulate y« u ; You leave this room entirely free, W without any atain op your, character.

TUHIA CONFESSES. The Maori confessed, did it," who" Mr. Hursthouse asked him if he had any statement to make. Be was fairly warned before he oemfessed. He said, "It was done by n*e." Mr. Hursthouse said : Do you know what you have really said 1 Do you know ! your position ? [ Tuhia aaid : I know I killed the woman, j It was a great sin or crime. I know it. Tho Coroner then said : I do not think', under the circumstances, I cgin ask you, gentlemen of the jury, to do anything. This is not like a Court of law or the Supreme Court, and I think I can hardly ask you for anything further. The excitement was intense. The interpreter faltered, and was deeply move , as the Coroner. The murdorer ftp" peared more calm than most in Court. The prisoner Tuhia throughout has bee calm, and he looks eaoh witness straig i in tho face, and seems quite collected an cool. He asked a few questions w» lc , seem intended to test tho reliability o witnesses on points where they co" In no case has he endeavored to "' s P n . " the ownership of the trousers, nor has ■ questioned the accuracy of the evident

against htm by men of his own race. 1 evicte ncc of natives was stronely W. . jjjm, and was given in a straightmanner. Tho evidence seems mcon»P lete ' 33 there k no tfa e P'eces to any bridle yet. place where the marder was com- § commands a pretty view of old S'" a ramI \} pnh, and it is surmised Miss 6 je was either sketching or intended to £ e ' c k* November 30. r jjjjiaht, after his committal, the prij Xuhia said, " I do not wish for any " De trial- I want to meet my death, & ote now." Handcuffs were then biro, the prisoner preserving the r. calmness, and looking at all ronnd S straight in the face.