A MAORI WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 9

A MAORI WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

(BY MLEORAPH.— OWN CORRSSPONPKNT,)

Hamilton, this day. Particulars have just been received here of a shocking fatal accident which occurred at Kawhia on Monday, 11th January, by which a granddaughter of the celebrated Maori chief Whitiora lost her life. Deceased, who was eighteen years of age, in company with several other Maori women, left their settlement ab Maketu in bhe morning to work in their plantation, taking with them a baby six mouths old. On arriving there, the young woman Kiriwai, with the child in her arms, lay down alongside the camp fire and fell asleep, and was not awakened until she felt her clothes on fire. She appeared to lose all presence of mind, and, snatching up the child, made for the beach, taking no head of the cries of her companions, who rushed to extinguish the flames, and she did not etop until almost every piece of clothing was burnt off her, and the only parts of her body uninjured were her face end feet. She then laid tbe child down. Dr. Hamilton wan eenb for, but the girl expired before he could arrive. The occurrence has caused great excitement amongst the natives, who are rolling in from all quarters to the tangi.