THE MOTUROA TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 54

THE MOTUROA TRAGEDY.

ACQUITTED OF A MURDER CHARGE. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 6.

The healing of the charge of murder a,gainst Walter Smith was concluded to-day. The jury, after a retirement of 80 minutes, returned with a verdict of "Not guilty." No evidence was offered against the came prisoner on Jhe arson charge, and accordingly the prisoner was diecharged.

Walter Smith was charged with the murder of George Thomas Ince at Moturoa. on December 11, 1902. The parties were fishermen, and there was some dispute between them. Smith charged Ince with taking fiah from his nets, and gave him a thrashing. Next evening Smith returned to camp rather late, and is said to have threatened Ince. During the night Ince's tent was burnt down, and the unfortunate man's body was charred almost beyond recognition.

Amongst the visitors to New Zealand are Messrs Takaoka and Alido, the former being director of the Colonial Department in tho Government, Hokkaido (Northern Japan), and the latter Commissioner of Communication, Commerce, and Colonisation for Hokkaido. They aro travelling round the world investigating the land systems and conditions of commerce uud agriculture in various countries. In the course of an interview with a, Times representative, Mr Takaoka said that New Zealand might find a profitable market in Japan for many products. Ho thinks that some New Zealand ports should be included in the route of steamers now running between. Australia and Jaoao^