LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Western Star, Issue 376, 1 September 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

"Wattganut, Tuesday. The Rutland Hotel, occupied by Mr Evans, was destroyed by fire this morning. The fire originated in the kitchen, and quickly spread over the up-staics portions, which are completely gutted. Insurancfi : £350 on furniture in Imperial ; £750 in Colonial on the building. The loss outside insurance is estimated at £2OOO. Auckland, Aug. 31. A.n extraordinory statement has been made by some natives in town. They say that a man named Hoani and his wi'e were a short time .since digging gum near port Russel, on the Waikato. His wife took ill and ultimately died, but the story became current that she had been bewitched or " makutued "by her husband. The woman's re'ations reside in the King country, and two brothers came down for the purpose of killing the man who was possessed of such dreadful power. They found him quietly digging for gum. He had a large hole open, and the men killed him with a tomahawk, put him in the hole, and covered him up. They then returned to the King country, congratulating themselves on having done the State some service by ridding New Zealand of a man who might be the dnath of anybody whenever he took it into his bead. These are the facts as stated by the natives in town yesterday, but probably it will not be worth while to inquire into the matter. It may be mentioned that Wirenu Rewiti, a well known chief of Kaipara, is at present at Mechanics' Bay on his way to the King country. He has been ill for some time, and both he and his friends are convinced that he has been witcbed, and that the only chance of cure lies in a visit to the priest resident amongst the Kingitep, who can remove the spell.