"GOOD-BYE ALL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1932, Page 5

"GOOD-BYE ALL."

YOUNG MAORI'S FAREWELL. BAY OF PLENTY INQUEST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAKATANE, Monday. A verdict that death was caused by a gunshot wound self-inflicted was returned by the coroner, Mr. G. A. Brabant, at the inquest into the death of the Maori, Tahi Takao, aged 21 years, who was found shot at Waimana on Saturday afternoon. A pathetic note of farewell was read to the coroner.

Earlier in the day a half-caste Maori girl, Olive Mills, aged 19, "was found shot at Kutarere and the inquest concerning her death was adjourned. At the inquest on Tahi Takao, John Wi Tepou said the young Maori was a farmer. He had been working at Kutarere, and came to stay at witness' home Igst Thursday. Witness heard a shot at five o'clock and found Talii lying outside the shed on the ground. A doublebarrelled gun belonging to witness was lying on the floor of the shed. Deceased was keeping company with Olive Mills. He heard she had shot herself the same day. Constable Cummings said he travelled to Waimana and found the body lying outside a whare. A note found inside the door of the whare, apparently written by deceased, was as follows: —"Death notice to all persons and tribes, Whakatane. Farewell you all. I am departing for that other land of our ancestors, as Riwa has shot herself in order that the blood of Temaikolia may not be disgraced. So is the case with me. —From te Tahi Talcao. Mother, take me to Matari Wliakarae. Good-bye all the Takao family; Dice, Steve, Nati also. I'm a dog. Dearest brothers and sisters, father, good-bye. I am unable to live in this "world. Kiss to all my loving girls."