The Witchcraft Tragedy.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2026, 4 February 1887, Page 2

The Witchcraft Tragedy.

Tbe two Maoris who were shot at Gisborne were Noko and his wife. Noko was a well known and respected native, aged about 50. ft appears, according to reports coming from the Maoris, that some days ago Noko told another native, then in good health, that be would die within three days, and that the native did die within that time. Upon this many other natives believed Noko had bewitched the deceased, and they assert that he had sent an evil spirit into a small bole near which the deeoased stood or sat. Accounts received are to the effect that Noko and his wife were shot dead as they slept in their whare, and that the where was then fired and the corpses burnt to a horrible condition, so that they could not be recognised.

It is stated that tbe whole hapu-some 50 or GO people-were privy to the murder, and had decided on it at a meeting. It ia supposed that the intention waa only to kill Noko for the supposed wilchcr,,ft, but that his wife, being awake, sbe was shot also, to prevent her identifying the actual murderers, and then the whare was fired. The whole hapu, except Noko. were Hauhaus, and believers in Te Kooti, and it is said that in the action taken they were guided by intimations received from Te Kooti.