THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF HIROKI, THE MURDERER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2412, 15 June 1882, Page 6

THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF HIROKI, THE MURDERER.

1 ' [BT TblmbashVJ : - : lai • BXHCTJTIOV. ■ Hbw Flymofth, Juno 8. Hiroki, for the murder of Mcfcean at Momahske, wus executed m New Plymouth gaol this morning at eight o'clock. Lait night the prisoner enjoyed a quiet natural sleep, but on waking this morning the recolleotion of the solemn proceedings distressed him and hewept somewhat freely. He, however, recovered bis composure shortly afterwards and a cheerful disposition. Arobdeaoon Qovett attended, and was engaged for tome time m spiritual devotions previous to his being taken to the gallows. The scaffold was erected m the north-east corner of the prison, m front of the cells where Te Whiti and Tohn were confined. Shortly after 8 o'clock the prisoner was brought ont from bis cell and pinioned m the usual manner. He ascended the toaffold with » firm step, and although his countenance was slightly paled he -exhibited do other signs of emotion. He stepped forward to the spot indicated by the executioner and stood firmly, the rope having been adjusted and the oap put on. The last words of the burial service had scarcely been spoken when the drop foil, and Hiroki disappeared out of sight. Death was instantaneoas as Bcaroely a snuscle wasmoved. ■ THE CONFESSION. WBtLiifOTON, June 8. The following is Hiroki's confession s— "In January C. Brown and John Bbeehan spoke abont tho laud, when the 'latter was Native Minister, at Poacke. I told McLean 'You had not better let any white man go on that land.'- I told Mr Bheehan' 'If I see you pnt white men on my land,— that is surveyors at . Otakari — I warn them that I will kill them.' &ftdr-'that time ■otne more -whit« mancune on to survey the land. I asked them ' Who told you to come dn my land f ' and they said it was the Government. It was McLean's brother that told me. Then I told them that they mu»t not go on any further. I told them that if they persisted going 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. The next day they came bick again. I and another Maori went to the 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 »ra a bloody pig.' ' I told him ■ I will kill you all, bnt yon will not know the time I will kill jou,' meaning any of you. In September I went to the place for ' the intention of killing any of them that I found there on the land. As I was going up to the place where they camped at the lent; I saw John < McLean looking towards me. When he saw me he went into the tent, for he knew that I meant something. I went towards the door 'of the tent. MoLean stood m one end of the tent at Ihe back. McL«an : fired at me with » gun, and the ball vent through my right side, as I stood' in front of the door, bat did not go through my body, only through my olothes under my armpit. I oaught hit arm (qUo), and pulled it away from him. I got it from him, and McLean ran ■'. away, and I fired at him. That is what killed . : him, and he fell- m the water dose to tha river; It was a ' small river. I went away and I took one sheet, some tobacco, and some bullets.' That is all I oan remember taking. The reason I took them waj to show the natives what I had done. I toid some of the witnesses that c*rne to. the trial what I had done. Some of them told the truth abont my killing the white man. I alto told % good many of tha 'Maori ; people when I went to Parihaka what I bad done. I told - about fifty of the natives. I told Te Whiti and other Maoris. To Whiti knew all about what I bad doae. I did .pot keep it a secret from any of them. What was said m reference to the Maoris .that shot at me was quite right. I came from John MoLean after killing him. The - whole bother was about the land. ; I owned some of tha land that was there. While the men were surveying, some of the pigs that were mine w«ro killed. I thick I bare told you all. ■ I should have told you this before if. I had been asked. At my trial I asked at tbs Court when I was to talk, and the Court told me that I could oot speak till the lawyers had done speaking. I was waiting for. them to ask me. - I was not asked till I saw the Judge putting on. the black cap and passed a sentence on me. I hop* that you will telegraph this to Grovernmant about the matter at once. I know I have only four more days to live, as I dreamt the other nlgbt as I told you." ■•