A Native Tragedy.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12307, 29 October 1907, Page 7

A Native Tragedy.

AUCKLAND, October 29. The Star's Dargaville correspondent says that a fracas, resulting in a tragedy, occurred on Saturday at Marapiu, 12 miles from Dargaville, causing the death of Waitene Reihana. a native gathering was being held in connection with a christening ceremony. Early in the morning, Reihana had an altercation with his wife. He walked away to an adjacent storehouse, and his wife followed with a bridle in her hand to catch a horse. Shortly afterwards, Reihana returned his face covered with blood, and exclaimed "I am killed." Later on, he fell unconscious and died. At night, when the -wife returned from a neighbouring settlement, not anticipating any fatality, she swooned on learning of her husband's death. After the inquest, the wife, whose name is Peti Waitene.was arnpsted and charged with murder, and was remanded for a week. Reihana was 47 and his wife 46 years of •ge, and they tad six children. Accused is a woman of high rank.