MAORI BOY DROWNED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 4

MAORI BOY DROWNED

MANUTUKE FATALITY SENT TO WATER CATTLE The finding of a small heap of clothes under a tree beside the bank of the Maraetaha River near Mr. W. Clark’s woolshed, Manutuke, this morning led to a search by the police and the discovery of the body of a young Maori boy, who had been sent to water cattle in the river late yesterday afternoon. The victim was:— John Hiha, aged 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hiha, Manutuke. After milking had been finished at 6.30 p.m. yesterday the boy took the herd to the river for water and it appeared that he must have stripped to have a splash about in the river and refresh himself after the heat of the day. He did not arrive home last night, but his parents were not alarmed because he often visited relatives after his day’s work and did not return until the morning. , Inquiries were made this morning and the boy’s clothing found. The police were informed, and Constable G Waple discovered the body at 10 o’clock at a point about 10yds downstream from the clothing.