ROTORUA HOT POOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1933, Page 3

ROTORUA HOT POOL

DEATH TRAP ALLEGED. [PER press association.] ROTORUA, June 29. Strong comments regarding the danger of the unfenced hot pools at the Maori Pas, and the necessity of providing safeguards by fencing were made by Coroner W. L. Richards at the inquest to-day into the death of a three-year-old Maori child, Richard Shipwith, who died following a fall into a hot pool at Ngapuna Pa on June 20. In returning a verdict of death from shock, as the result of scalds and suffocation. the Coroner said he had visited the pool the morning after the fatality, and it appeared to him to be a veritable death trap. It was used by the natives for washing, end he had been informed that two other children had recently fallen into it. but had fortunately been rescued in time. It varied in temperature, and was very slippery around the edges, where the native women had been washing. There was an obligation upon those living in the Pa to protect the small children, by fencing in these dangerous pools. He was glad to say that, this particular pool had been tilled in since the tragedy.