GRIM TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 4

GRIM TRAGEDY

THREE MAORIS DIE WIFE AND HUSBAND SHOT SUICIDE OF MURDERER HANGED WITH OWN BRIDLE EARLY CRIME RECALLED By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. Whareponga, a small Maori village near Waipiro Bay, about 80 miles north of Gisborne, was the scene of a tnpia tragedy on Friday when George (Hori) Smith, 49 years of age, his wife, 25 years of age, and George Taylor, 45 years of age, met their deaths. The two former were found dead from gunshot wounds and Taylor was’found hanged. All were Maoris. The tragedy apparently is the sequel to a quarrel some weeks ago in a scrub-cutting camp at Tauwhareparae, near Tolaga Bay, 36 miles from Gisborne. Smith came from Tolaga Bay and was not of a quarrelsome disposition. His wife, Hinehou Smith, was known as Girlie Smith and was a light-hearted native. They had one child between eight and nine years of age. Smith was a resident of Tolagi Bay, and his wife came from further up the coast. George Taylor was a native of Hiruharama (Jerusalem) near Ruatoria. He had been working in the Tolaga Bay district for some time. A few weeks ago a scrub-cutting contract was let to Smith’s father to clear a block of land at Tauwhareparae, near Tolaga Bay. Amongst the workers in the gang were. Smith and Taylor. During the progress of the work Smith became incensed at Taylor’s attitude towards Mrs. Smith, and the quarrel led to Taylor walking out of camp accompanied by Mrs. Smith. Smith made an effort to stop his Wife leaving with Taylor, but the attempt was unavailing. Lately, however, Smith heard that Taylor had been treating Mrs. Smith badly and determined to make a further effort to induce the woman to return. He left Tauwhareparae camp five or six days ago and since then nothing further had been heard until the news of the tragedy became known. • AMBUSH OF HUSBAND. ' From information received from Wai-,' piro Bay it appears that Taylor bor-. rowed a gun and three cartridges from a neighbour on Friday saying he was going to shoot cattle. It seems evident from signs discovered that he hid in a creek on the beach until Smith came along. He shot Smith at ten or fifteen yards range. The next signs were discovered some four miles away, where there were the remains of a camp fire. Mrs- Smith s body was found near it, death being caused by a shot wound. Taylor’s body was seen aboiit fifty yards away hanging from a tree by means of Ills bridle rein. The theory is advanced that the woman was shot while tending to the fire. An inquest was opened this morning, and after identification of the bodies was adjourned till October 30. Inspector Martin and Detective McLeod left yesterday morning for the scene of the tragedy and W not returned early this evening. Smith’s body was found at. Matahu Point, also known as Books* Point, through its connection with a triple murder in 1888. . Mr. Pooks. was a storekeeper with a wife and child. He lived on the premises. A native named Hira Te Pere went to the store and purchased articles which were subsequently found wrapped on the counter. He was served by Mrs. Pooks, who apparently refused “tick,” the store then being known by ■ its insistence on cash payments. Evidently a dispute arose and Pere battered Mrs. Pooks to death with an ; iron bar. Pooks arrived and rushed to the assistance of his wife, but both were savagely attacked with an axe. Their . heads were almost severed. i The native then went upstairs. 'He • found a child in bed and dashed its head against the bedpost, inflicting fatal i injuries. Pere was subsequently ex- : ecuted at Napier.