A CHARGE OF MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9307, 6 August 1908, Page 3

A CHARGE OF MURDER.

A HORRIFYING. CRIME. [Per Pkkss Association.] ■WHANGAttEI, August 6. Acting on information received Sergeant Moore and Constable Wiide, oi Whungarei, left for the Mangakahia district on Tuesday and arrested them yesterday a Maori' man and his wife, Hiriiu Ngatino and Emma Ngatino on a charge of the wilful murder of their infant son, Msikarino, eighteen months old, on or about July 2. Both accused and the body of the victim were brought to Whangarei late last night. The alleged details reveal the committal of a most revolting crime. The father of the accused, with whom they lived, developed insanity A)f <a violent type on July 2, and flung a child on a fire. He was committed to the Auckland Montal Hospital a day or two after, and the child was placed under treatment art; the Whangarei Hospital. About the same time as this shocking occurrence, it is stated that Hirini and Emma also threw their child on a fire three times. The baby struggled out of * ne flames on to the hearth, but was flung back again. It was then thrown out- ' side to end its torture by death; It was left there all night and was buried secretly next day. The dreadful facts appear to have been only discovered repently by other Maoris, who at once informed the police. The two accused were charged at the Magistrate's Court with the wilful murder of their infant son, and were remanded till August 10.