THE MAHIA TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 290, 25 April 1889, Page 2

THE MAHIA TRAGEDY.

FULL DETAILS. MURDER AND CREMATION. THE BOBBOW FOR POOB 808, THE VICTIM. A LITTLE OF McQUABBIE’S PEDIGREE. DISPOSITION OF MAOBIB. PBOBABLE VERDICT AT INQUEST. Mb F. Lysnab has returned to Gisborne after a trip to the Mahia, and to him we are indebted for further information in regard to the murder of Robert Gollan. HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED. As might hare been expected the murder created a great sensation at ( the Mahia and the surrounding district, and the brutal cremation of the body added an intensified horror to thd foul deed. Bob, as he was called by everyone who knew him—and there were few in the district who did not—was a very popular fellow, had become liked in a way that only those people accustomed to this rough and secluded life know how to appreciate the good points in their fellow men. He was one of that class who would give away the last shilling he had in his pocket to anyone whom he saw in need of one. When the news got abroad that he had been murdered, the Maoris all began crying over him, and there were plainly viaible signs of deep sorrow on the part of the wnite people of the district. THE MVBDKBED Man’s BEBIDENCE.

Gollan was, as previously stated, a shepherd on Mr Ormond’s station, and lived on the Gisborne side of the Cape on the Mahia Peninsula—the locality is visible from Gisborne. The house was a two-roomed one with a lean-to, the rooms being large and lofty, The house is situated about sixteen mile* from the homestead, and Mr James Fitzgerald’s place at the Mahia is another four miles away, that is about twenty miles from Gollan's house. It was about four miles distant from any other habitation, European or Maori. There was a fence in front, the gate opening nearly opposite to the door, and the dogs were tied up near the gate. THE FIBBT SUSPICIONS. Just before the moon rose on Thursday night—which fixes the time at about seven o’clock — the Maoris noticed a fire in the direction of Gollan’s house, but they did not think it worth while to go over. It seemed strange, but they thought it must be a vessel out at sea. In the morning of course the true circumstances were disclosed, and on inspection there was no doubt left that a MUBDEB HAD BEEN COMMITTED. Near the gateway there was a pool of blood and traces of it could be seen towards the house; the traces were dried by the heat of the fire but it was a certainty that it was blood, and the other marks gave indisputable proof that the man’s body had been dragged by the heels into the house, much the same as a dead sheep would be dragged along. Mr Ormond, junior, collected the charred remains and they were put into a portmanteau. Communication was then made with the police officials, and a telegram was sent to Sergeant Bullen, but as he was not in Gisborne at the time the Wairoa constable went to the Mahia and Detective Grace and a constable went from Napier.

THE FINGER OF SUSPICION was at once pointed at McQuarrie, and it was whispered all over the place before he was arrested, that no other person could be guilty of such a deed, the victim of which was one whom everyone but the suspect liked. Before any arrest was made, or any confession' elicited, the general opinion was that only one man about the place would be at the bottom of it, and a kind of instinct singled that person out.

THE boy’s CONFESSION AND OTHER EVIDENCE. g In his confession McQuarrrie’e brother-in-law stated that when he went with McQuarrie, the latter left him some distance away from the house, in charge of the horse. When McQuarrie reached the place the dogs barked furiously, and he suppose* either that caused Gollan to come out, or else McQuarrie called him out. The lad heard two shots fired and then after a short lapse of time he heard another. He got curious and went towards the house. When McQuarrie came back the boy asked him what he had done, and he replied that he had shot Gollan, and threatened he would do the same to the boy if he did not maintain silence in regard to the affair. Shortly after the flames burst out of the house, and the boy asked what was the cause of it, and McQuarrie said he had done it, and again threatened the boy. On the previous day McQuarrie was making bullets, and on being asked what they were for, said he was going shooting wild dogs. Previous to the murder he had been making enquiries as to whether Gollan was at home, and had ascertained that he would be at home, and without any companionship. When he left the boy holding the horse he told him he was going to see Bob (Gollan) about shooting wild dogs—he had a doublebarrelled muzzle-loader with him. THE INQUEST. An inquest was begun before Mr J. T. Large (Coroner), and a jury consisting of Messrs Brown, Walker, Bendall, Glenny, Quinlan and Gocdail. The only evidence taken was that of the doctor, who certified that the remains discovered were human. The inquest was adjourned until to-day (Thursday).

THE “ SUSPECT.”

McQuarrie, the suspected person, was at one time barman in the Shamrock Hotel (qow called the Gisborne Hotel), when it was owned by Mr Richard Kelly. He was a relation of Kelly's wife. His age would now be about 36, but then he was a good looking young fellow, though with a very bad character. He was employed

in other ways by Kelly, and those who know him speak very unfavorably of 4 him. He is now the father of six children, one having died a few weeks weeks back under mysterious circumstances. His wife also died about six months ago, the cause not being known. The oldest child is about fourteen years of age. PBISONEM’s’ABBEST AND CONDUCT. When McQuarrie was told that he was to be arrested he made the excuse that he had no saddle or bridle for his horse and therefore would not ride, but he was given a piece of rope to put round the horse and told that he must do as ordered. On that night he was imprisoned in the wool shed \ and kept strictly guarded. When \ eubeequently confronted with the boy’s testimony he stoutly denied all the allegations and said that everything the boy had sated was untrue. His later behavior was sullen in the extreme, and the demeanor of the natives towards him was equally uncompromising.

THE MAOBI WOMAN. The woman who is believed to have been the cause of the trouble is a passable looking young woman of medium build. She lived with Gollan as his wife according to Maori fashion, but there is reason to believe that McQuarrie’s intrigues were not alto- - jgether discouraged on her part. She observed talking to him before she < - let t on her trip to the Murewai, and McQuarrie knew perfectly well that she had gone there. She professes to have greatly detested the halfcaste, and there is no doubt she was much •hocked by the murder. She says that if she had been there she would oave been killed too, and she makes no secret that she is convinced the right man has been taken. MoQuarrie is a partner in the ownership of 4,000 sheep, but being a Waikato man he has no right to the use of the land- If, however, he succeded in winning over the Maori woman he would have managed to get her right to an area of land, and the belief appeared to be that once Gollan was got out of the road, his rival would have no further difficulty in the fulfilment of his designs. WHAT THEMAOBIS SAT.

The Maoris are all greatly incensed over the terrible affair. Gollan, by his generosity and temperament, had won their affections, and they would have rendered him any service. They want McQuarrie to be handed over to them, and they will see that justice is done. They say it is ridiculous to leave the matter in the hands of the Europeans, who, the Maoris say, will only put him through a lot of forms, and then, even if satisfied of his guilt, refrain from punishing him with death. They cite the cases of Pineamine, Rowland, Haira te Peri, and others, none of whom were hung, and they assume that Haira will be -fo- treated the same way. One thing is certain that if McQuarrie were allowed to go free among them in their present temper he would have a very short shrift of it. The Europeans themselves are so maddened By the affair that McQuarrie, if he were released, f would need to give the place a wide berth. PROBABLE VERDICT. The verdict of the Coroner’s Jury is almost certain to be wilful murder against McQuarrie. It is believed he will then be taken to the Wairoa. OTHER POINTS. It is strange that no one noticed the fire on Thursday night, from Gisborne, when there were so many persons down the breakwater, watching the uuloading of the Maitai. We were in error in stating that Gollan was in Ormond a few days back—we are now informed that he had not been away from the Mahia district for twelve months past. He was 28 years of age.