MURDER AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5968, 3 January 1881, Page 3

MURDER AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

[by telegraph, press association.] - CmusTCHtrRCH, December JO. The schooner Omaha, which arrived in pert yesterday from the Chatham Islands, brings news of a brutal murder committed there on the 19th November, as well as the murderer, who lias been committed for trial at the ensuing session of the Supreme Court at Christchrch.

From Mr. Walter Hood, who came up in" the schooner, we learn the following particulars of the tragedy :—On November 19, Wi Whareapa, a well-to-do native, and one of the chief liudi-raers in the ieland, residing at Waitangi, was passing along, the beach, when the blacksmith, as he passed the shop, noticed something strange about iiis manner, and called him into his shop to have some tea. Wi Whareapa went into the forge, and shortly afterwards went and stood for some hours under the cliff on the; beach, with his head bent, and in a. verydejected attitude. His actions were neticed by the blacksmith's wife, who fancied something wrong, and got her husband to go up to Whareapa's house. The blacksmith, on reaching the house, saw nothing of Whareapa's wife, but traces of blood in great quantity. He returned to his and" informed \ir. c £eig&^; J fi.£n''"pf the

circumstances. Mr. Deighton went to. the pa. aud got Wi Whareapa's sister ; and ; some others and went up to the house on -searchj On entering the kitchen or sitting-room;"the walls and ceiling and : floor -were: found splashed with blood and brains, the Odor being riiuch covered with blood. Not seeing the body about the house. Mi , . Hood'aria others went in search of it, and foiind jt;ia a gully over the hill where the[house,stoo<£ The ny.-per part of the head was : smashed ;to' pieces. i,he features being beyond recognitions The Resident Magistrate at .once swore; in some special constables, who .- went 'and arrested Wi AVharepa on the beach: ; He lhadc no resistance, simply telling' the;con? stabes to stand off. When arrested he fused to' say anything. On the case being heard before the Resident prisoner reserved his defence, and was. fchea committed to take his trial for the murder of his wife at the next sessions of.-the' Supreme Court at Chrisrehureh. Wi Whareapa's wife was a native of Lyttelton, and her maiden name was Susan Toswell, a niece, of Mr. Thos. Toswell, H.M. Customs. ;.Sht>_ went to the Chatham Islands about three, years ago as a domestic servant'to oue of the squatter's families, and married ."Wi AVHa-j reapa about IS months ago. She was about •20 years of age. Wi Wharenpa is about 2Sy and was one of the principal men on the island; and very well off". He was always very quiet in disposition. Jealousy is supposed, to be the cause of the murder; From traces left in the kitchen -where the murder was committed, it seems that Wi Whareapa must have struck his wife-on the head several times with a billet of wood, then taking the fire-tongs and beaten hec head to pieces. Since his committal, -it Ja said he has made confession of the crime In Maori. He appeared at first to be in a state? of melancholy madness, but latterly' has become quite calm. Since his confession he has been silent about it altogether. Thfe Omaha was ready for sea on the morning that AVi AVhareapa was arrested, and-those who were there seem lo think that he came down to the beach wi';h the intention of get* tin" on board the schooner and getting away .from the island. He ' is, we hearja firm believer in Te AVliiti. The news of. the murdor created considerable excitement in Lvttelton, where the murdered girl was well "known.. Wi Wlisrehopa was heavily, ironed dnrinc the p:issage from the ~ island here, and on "arrival of the vessel the police were si-nalled for, and they took him at onco to the gaol. The prisoner was brought up in. charge of Ooustabte Rayner and the masterand ©fficer of the Omaha. He seems very unconcerned about his Jiosition. • ' ■'■{