WARRANT TO APPREHEND A NATIVE FOR WILFUL MURDER.

Wellington Independent, Issue 43, 24 December 1845, Page 1

WARRANT TO APPREHEND A NATIVE FOR WILFUL MURDER.

More than three years ago, a Jury of Englishmen were empannelleil by the Coroner of this district, J. Esq., to view the body of an aboriginal native, who had been shot by one of bis countrymen, named Ratia. Ratia, after perpetrating tbe act, escaped, and has s-i.ice been residing at Otoronga, and on one or two occasions has visited Wellington. The Jury, after a pa.ient investigation, found Ratia guilty of wilful murder, and the Coroner, in accordance with iliit verdict, signed a warrant for his appreliensioa' On what grounds the authorities have so long allowed this murderer to remain at large, we know not, but we suppose it has bean owing to the absence, of ony power sufficient for his capture. Since that time Ratia has corniniUed a robbsry on some settlers in the Maknra valley. We trust his Honor Major Richmond will call Captain G.ey's attention to this matter. We do not raise this cry for the blood of the attainted, but merely that we desire the natives generally to see that, however long a felon may elude the just punishment of his crimes, h wever distant the period of his capture may be, we still view the deed with the same abhorence, and pu iah the perpetrator accordingly. We believe that Captain Grey will conduct lm Government with impartiality, and that he will compel alike the Natives and Europeans to respect those laws, which hithe.ito have been only-partially administered in N;\v Z:ahud,