MAORI MEMORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES.

INTERESTING VIGNETTES. (Reoorded by “J.H.S.") AN INFORMER. The only Informer tolerated by the Maoris was the “Autaua," who cautioned unarmed parties of an enemy's approach. Any other was an outcast. Nepia Taratoa’s derelict son incurred the hatred of his tribe and was despised toy the white people of old Rangitikei by accepting £IOO reward for the conviction of a shepherd as the supposed murderer of a white man near the village of Bulls, then known as Rangitikei. There were several features of this startling episode which impressed their mark on my boyhood’s mind nearly 70 years ago. Twenty-five willing pakeha witnesses for the defence, mostly women, rode or drove in gigs or buggies 100 S miles to the trial in Wellington. In spite of all evidence “the Hanging Judge” sentenced the good shepherd to death. After long vears of solitary confinement —that most brutal form of vindictive punishment—he was granted a free pardon. This was brought about by the untiring efforts of Archdeacon Stock and a Rangitikei licensed interpreter, who practically proved the guilt of a half-caste Maori. The culprit had left for the then inaccessible King Country immediately after the crime, so was never traced. Suspicion had also been wrongly cast by the Maori informer upon a worthy young officer who was known to have witnessed the payment of a large sum of money to the murdered man on the previous night. So ingeniously did the Maori .state his case that many people were taught to believe the victimised young officer’s “death” was but a subterfuge to cover his escape from the colony and that his empty coffin had been buried in the local cemetery.