MAORI FANATICISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2347, 13 November 1908, Page 5

MAORI FANATICISM.

A CHILD MURDERED.

VERDICT OF

MANSLAUGHTER

AUCKLAND, Nov. 12. At the Supreme Court a young Native married couple, Hirini Ngatimo Hohepa and Ema Holiepa, were charged with the murder of their 18-months-old• child on J'liily 2. The male prisoner, after hesitation, said he was innocent. The female said: “Yes, tho child was murdered by me,’? but under the Judge’s direction she /pleaded not guilty. Mr. Tole, opening the case, said a number of Natives, including the accused, lived together with tlie father of the male, accused, Timo, who ordered his own soil, aged six years, to jump on the fire. The son did, getting considerably .burned. Then Timo ordered tlie female accused to put her child on tho fire. She . did s o- It struggled off, screaming in agony, but was replaced till ;it died, death being followed by extraordinary-.- rites, hut fanaticism did not release the peoplefrom the responsibility of crime. Timo was now in; a state of raving 1 nancy. The husband of the female prisoner had not attempted to pievent the crime. Hence has. appeal"alice in-the dock. Tho jury returned a verdict manslaughter, and recommended th: prisoners to mercy on tlie ground i religious insanity. Sentence was deferred till Monday.