TRAGEDY IN NORTH

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 3230, 10 June 1924, Page 4

TRAGEDY IN NORTH

WITE BEATEN TO DEATH. Tho Kaikohe correspondent of the Herald reports that on Saturday morning easly a terrible tragedy took place at Waima, a native settlement botween Kaikohe and Rawere, when a married Maori wom'an named Ani Pene, was battored to death with a largo stone in the wharo occupied by herself, hor husband, and family. The husband, Ruki Pene, was arrested on a eharge of murdering his wife, but he subsequently diod from injuries sustained by him as a result of a leap from a tree which he had elimbed while being pursued by the police.

It is stated that Ruki Pene for some time past had entertained unfounded suspicions of his wife's fidelity, and this appears to have ' preyed on his mind. About three weeks ago he left the settlement to visit his relatives in Waimato North, saying. .he wouldV'nofc return for six months, but he returned' to his home on Friday cveninViaiid committed the. awful deed. '■•■

Early on Saturday morning* some natives saw Ruki Pene climb a high pine tree, which was later surrounded- by the police. Pene had climbed up about ,'SO feet and on observing the search party called out "Good-bye, I am going!" and leaped into the nir, head downward, striking the rocky of a Shallow creek. He was picked up suffering from coneussion and later "&ve<j in the train on the way to Whangacei.