FINDING OF TE KOOTI'S BODY

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 519, 19 June 1869, Page 3

FINDING OF TE KOOTI'S BODY

Captain Trimmer of the schooner Success, which has arrived at Auckland, reports that intelligence has heen received from Wairoa, that the hody of Te Kooti Las been found lying naked on the beach near Wairoa with a long rope tied round the waist, and is supposed to have bad some heavy substance attached to sink deceased. The rope, however, bad broken, and the body bad washed ashore. It will be remembered that on two or three occasions the report has been circulated that Te Kooti had been shot and buried at sea, so that his remains should not be identified. The name of the native who fired the shot has also been repeatedly given, but the arch-rebel has been reported killed on so many previous occasions that his death was not generally believed in. Captain Jones, of the Murewai (in whose employ Te Kooti was for some time when lie wa3 engaged in the whale fishery), has identified the body as that of the murderer Te Kooti by tho tattooing on his thigh, which he had observed on when he had been out with him after whales, it being often necessary for men to strip when engaged in the work. Also the wound that he was reported to have received in the breast when shot was still visible when the body was found. His name could also bo traced on his TJio pottlors of Wairoa do not entertain ths slightest doubt that the bloodthirsty leader has at last met his just punishment.