THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF HIROKI THE MURDERER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2407, 9 June 1882, Page 3

THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF HIROKI THE MURDERER.

[Br Tbebohaph.] THB .EXECUTION. ; New PitfuouTH,' June 8. ; Hiroki, for the mnider of McLean at Momahake, was executed m New Plymouth gaol this morning at eight o'clock. Last night the prisoner enjoyed a quint natnral sleep, but on waking this morning the recollection of the solemn proceedings distressed him and he wept somewhat freely.. He, however, recovered his composure shortly afterwards and a cheerful disposition. Archdeacon ObVett attended,' 'and «ras engaged for tome time m spiritual devotions previous to his being taken to the gallows. The scaffold was erected m the north-'eait corner of the prison, m front of the cells where Te Whiti and Tohu were confined. Shortly after 8 o'clock tbe prisoner was brought out from his cell and pinioned m the uiual manner/ He ascended the scaffold with a firm step, and although his countenance was slightly paled he exhibited no other signs of emotion. He stepped forward to tbe spot indicated by the executioner "and stood firmly, the rope having been adjusted and the cap put on. The last words of the burial service had scarcely bsen spoken when the drop fell, and Hiroki disappeared out of tight. Death was instantaneous as scarcely a muscle wai moved. THE COHFBSSION. ; WEGMKaToif, June 8. (The following is UiroH's oonfeision : — ' " In January C. Brown and John Sbeehan spoke about tha land, when 'the latter was Native Minister, at Poneke. I told McLean 'Ton. had not' better let any white man go on ' that land.' I told Mr Sheehan 'If I see you put ' white men on my land,— that is surveyors at Otalari —I warn them that I will kill them.' After that time some more white men came on to survey the land. I asked them ' Who told you to coins on my land ? ' and they said it was the Government. It was McLean's brother that told me. Then I told them tbat theyj mvt% not (go on any further. I told them that if tbey persisted goiag ; on surveying, .the land I would kill them all. They said to me ' never mind what you say.' I told them to go home, and they went home. 2he:next day they came- btck again. I and another Maori went to tbe place. I told McLean that ' You are not to come on the land. I will kill you.' When I told him that McLean said ' never mind ; you are a bloody pig:.' I told him 'J will kill you all, bnt you .will not know tht time I will, kill jou,' meaning any, of you. In September I went, to tbe place for the intention of killing' any of them that I found there on the land. 'As-, I was going np to the place where' they camped at tbe tent, I saw John ' McLean looking towards me. When he saw me he went into tbe tont, for he knew that I j meant something. I went' towards, the door of the- tent. McLean .stood m one end of the tent at the back. McLean fired at me with a gun, . and the ball went through my right side, sjs I stood m front of the door, but did not. fO through my body,- only through my clothes under my armpit. I caught his arm .(gup); and palled it sway from him. I got it from him,' and McLean ran away, and I fired at him. That v . what killed him, and he' fell m , t,bo water, oloefl ■to the river. It was a small river. ,- 1 went away and I ' took one sheet, :eome tobacco, and some bullets. That is all I can remember taking. The reason I took them was to show the natives what Ihaddone.'-I told some of the witnesses that came to the trial what I had done. Some of them told the truth about my killing the white toan. I also told a good many of the Maori. people when I went to • Parihaka what I had done. I told about fifty of the natives.,, I told Te Whiti and othsr, Maoris. Te Whiti knew all abouV what I bad done. I did not keep it a sscre't from any of them. Whatf.waf 'aid m reference to the Maoris that shot. at ma was quite right. .1 mv* .from- John McLean after, killing him. The 'whole bother was about the land! I owned sooii of the land tbat was there. ; While tbe men were surveying, some of the pigs that were mine were' killed. I, think I have told you all. X should bare told you this before if I had been asked. At my trial I asked, at the Court when I was to talk, and the Court tolj me, that I could not speak till, ,the lawyers bad done speaking. I was waiting for them to ask me. I was not asked, till I saw. the Judge patting on the black cap and passed.* ssn. tence on me. I hop* that you will telegraph) 'this to Gojernmant about the nutter at qnoe, ' '^kpow I have only foocmore days te live,, ti , X dreamt tho other night ai I told you. 1 ,; ,