PUKERUA AND PUKERAU

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 9

PUKERUA AND PUKERAU

CONFUSION OF PLACE-

NAMES

SAID TO HAVE LURED OLD MAN TO DEATH How an old man met his death presumably through confusing the place names “pukerau” and “Pukerua” has been disclosed since the recent discovery of a dead body on the hills between Johnsonville and plimmerton.

Papers found on tho body served to identify the remains as those of Milliam Lloyd, 73 years of ago, and a shepherd by occupation. It appears that some eighteen months ago Lloyd decided to' leave a sheep station, at Pukerau, near Gore, and proceed to England. Before taking his departure, however, he made a will. By the Corinthic ho returned to Wellington last month, ‘with the intention, it is believed of revisiting his friends. In© peculiarities of tho English pronunciation of Maori proper names were apparently the cause of his being misdirected, since he next made an appearance at Johnsonville, heading for Puko rual He deposited Ins bag at the railway station, and set off to inquire about his friends. His search led him to the hills, and presumably, when, he observed tho flocks of sheep g™ing there familiar landmarks appeared to present themselves for his guidance, with tho result that ho lost his way, and was left to the mercy of the elem The adjourned inquest touching the man’s death was concluded yesterday hr the Coroner (Air. W G. Riddell. SM) who found that the deceased died.’from heart failure following nceidental exposure on the lulls near Plimmerton..