MAORI CUSTOMS
FEAR OF HOSPITALS COMMENT BY A JtJDGE COMPENSATION REFUSED A claim by a wi'clow, Heneriata Hamilton, of Oruanui, for £1047 general and special damages from Tuck Brothers, Limited, sawmillers, of Oruanui, as compensation for the death of her husband, has been dismissed in a written judgment issued by Mr.'Justice O’Regan, Judge of the Compensation Court. The statement of claim showed that the • deceased, Hemopo Kiripaeahi Hamilton, was engaged on December 18 last in securing logs at the Oruanui mill when he was struck by a log and both his legs were broken. He had a fear of hospitals and, despite all pleadings, remained at a friend’s place for 10 days after the accident. He then consented to enter the Waikato Hospital, where he died the same day. “There exists among Maoris a strong prejudice against hospital treatment,” states the judgment, “but this fear is by no means as prevalent as formerly. “In former times allowance was made for (Maori customs more repulsive than mere objection to enter hospital. A few weeks after the Wairau affray in 1843 the Governor, Captain Fitzroy. met Rauparaha and his clansmen at Waikanae and intimated that, much as he reprobated the putting to death of Captain Arthur Wakefield and his .men after they had been made prisoners, he recognised that the captors had acted in accordance with Maori custom, arid so no utu would be exacted.
“Public feeling ran very high at the time and the Governor’s action was strongly criticised, but the verdict of history is that he acted with humanity and moderation. Further, there are Maori customs which even to-day are •entitled to public respect and the protection of the law. ■‘l have come to the conclusion, however, that the conduct of the deceased was unreasonable. The proper niaee for a man so badlv injured is in the hospital, and to hold that the deceased acted reasonably in refusing treatment would be not merely an improper concession to superstition, blit 'a clear violation of the Statute.’’
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20377, 14 October 1940, Page 2
Word Count
335MAORI CUSTOMS Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20377, 14 October 1940, Page 2
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