The Manaia Tragedy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 1, 3 September 1923, Page 2

The Manaia Tragedy

HALF-CASTE MAORI LOVERS. YOUNG MAN'S JEALOUSY. The tragedy at Manaia, in wEf* a half-caste • named George w as found dead on the-footpath with his throat cut on- Saturday morning, was the sensational ending to a lovo affair between two half-castes. Evidence at the inquest showed that the lovers parted on Saturday evening apparently on fairly terms, the girl telling Aldridge that she was going to a dance with a white man, and Aldri'lge consented. When the g/rl and the white man returned from the dance Aldrid™ was waiting for them with a bar of iron. He hit the girl on the head, rendering her unconscious and then ran away. TTle girl was taken info an hotel and recovered in a few minutes. Following a previous- threat to commit suicide after killing the gi"l. Aldridge apparently thought ho had rariied out the first gruesome part of lids plans and then decided to end his own life, for about 3 a.m. he was found dead on the foothp'ath with lifs throat cut. A razor and a sheath knife were found in his possession. That Aldridrje committed suicide while of unsound mind was the verdict returned by the jury.