WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 664, 20 August 1864, Page 18

WELLINGTON.

The Bakqitiki Murder and the Maori Witness. — We have received by the overland mail this morning a letter from Mr Hector M 'Donald, giving an account of a conversation his half-caste son had with the Maori lad Hoani, with reference to the murder of Bayner He talked to him for some time oa indifferent subj'Cts in order that Hoani might not sus uect the object of his visit. He at last adverted to the murder, and endeavored to impress upon him the wickedness he Would commit if he allowed an innocent m<jn to be hung, when probably a word from him might prevent such a catastrophe, hoani listened to all that was said very attentively, and every now and then exclaimed "quite right," and "very good." At the termination (if the interview (which was on Wednesday), Hoani asked young M 'Donald to come on Friday, and he said that in the meantime he would think over the matter The latter left with the conviction that he was going to find out the right party, a3 he felt sure that by his manner Hoani knew all about, it, as two or three times during the conversation be stopped short as if he was afraid. Mr M'Donald then puts this pertinent question—" If this Maori lad knew nothing about the murder, why not have said so at once, and not 'take till Friday to think about it!" When youn? M'Donald went on Friday, Hoani said that he did not know who did the murder. Our correspondent also states that Hoani was very careful that the conversation was not overheard by anybody, and that when anyone approached the hut he told M'Donald to be quiet till they were again alone. The letter is too long for insertion, but the above is the substance of it. We give it for what it is worth, with the simple remark that the question put by the writer appears to us to be deserving of the serious consideration of the authorities. — N. 2. Advertiser.