DEATH OF MAORI

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21978, 23 March 1946, Page 6

DEATH OF MAORI

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

A finding that a Maori labourer, Haki Tamati. aged 18, Whatatutu, died at Whatatutu on March 22 of acute pulmonary oedema was returned at an inquest this morning by the coroner, Mr. E.' L. Walton, S.M.

A fencer, Keri Orupe, Whatatutu, gave evidence of identification of the body, and said that the deceased lived with Wiliiam Mason, . Whatatutu. Called by Mason to the sick man yesterday morning, the witness stayed with him until 10.30 o’clock when he died. Tama.ti was unconscious when Orupe saw him. Constable W. Greggan, Te Karaka, said .that he examined the body of the deceased. There were no marks of violence but a purplish rash showed on the face and limbs. Tamati had not been attended by a doctor or district nurse. A station hand, William Mason, Whatatutu, said that the deceased had been living at the witness’ home for the past three months. Returning from his work at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, the witness found Tamati in bed complaining of pains in his stomach. An. attempt was made to summon .the district nuise at 10.30 p.m. .yesterday. A post morten examination was made by Dr. Stanley B. L. Bowker. who said that death was due to acute pulmonary oedema, .the result of an acute upper respiratory infection of an influenzol type. The pathological picture known as status thymo-l.vmpathicus was present, indicating a low degree of resistance to infection in an otherwise physically strong and healthy person.