MAORI SUPERSTITIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 12

MAORI SUPERSTITIONS.

DEAF AND DUMB VICTIM. SHOT IN A PANIC. AUCKLAND, May 31. A young Maori named Matetu Purua ; was to-day placed in the dock at the | Auckland Supreme Court on a charge of murdering one Te Mana Horomano at | Waingaro, in the Raglan district, on i March 15 last, some interesting evidence about old Maori superstitions being given. "On the fateful evening," the Crown Prosecutor stated, "the prisoner andanother Native were in a whare squaring up matters in connection with a bushfelling contract. When they had finished the prisoner's companion "went outside to catch his horse and ride to his habitation. Puraa was also going into the paddock, when the figure of a human being was seen on the track passing down the hill about a chain or a chain and a-half away. A challenge was issued as the figure moved forward. 'lf you are a Maori speak or I will shoot you.' This was repeated in English, and as there was no response prisoner discharged his firearm—a double-barrelled gun,—and the figure disappeared. The two Maoris then returned to the whare, put out all lights, and peered into the darkness, but no further sign of the object was seen. In the morning they went along the track and found a deaf and dumb Native lying on the ground. He was carried to the whare, and the prisoner and friend did what they could to relieve the injured man, but he breathed his last in a few minutes." The evidence bore out the statement of counsel. The Maoris believed the figure was a ghost. Purua was greatly distressed on finding that he had shot' Horomaho. He voluntarily gave himself up to the police. Addressing the jury for the defence, Mr Reed reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident, and remarked that' though it seemed ridiculous to the European mind in the twentieth century to have faith in ghosts and spirits, old traditions died hard with the Maoris, and it was difficult in one or two generations to eradicate beliefs and superstitions handed down through many years. Counsel submitted that the whole of the circumstances supported the probability of accused's story. It was a lamentable case of misadventure.

_ After his Honor's summing up, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.