NATIVE GIRL’S DEATH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 October 1925, Page 5

NATIVE GIRL’S DEATH.

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

(by TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) GISBORNE, Oct. 17. Somewhat unusual circumstances were revealed at the inquest concerning the death of a Mauri girl, Mary Paipa, at the Awapuni pa. • _ ' Deecased’s motner said that on October 1 the girl was carrying a tin of hot water from a fire when she tripped and was scalded. Two doctors, Drs. Angell and Scott, had been out to the pa, and one of the doctors sent for Lady Carroll to take the girl from the pa, and this was done. To the coroner (Mr Levvy, S.M.) witness said nothing was done immediately for the girl, except that Eer clothes were taken off and she was covered with a piece of calico. At times the girl seemed in great agony. Witness’ daughter went to a chemist and got medicines, one to be taken and the other to be applied. It did not occur to witness -.to take the girl to the Cook Hospital, and they never had a conveyance. Witness admitted that she did not ring the hospital. Dr. Scott said he and Dr. Angell had seen the .girl on October 10.- Dr. Angell ordered her removal to hospital, but it was found that she was not sent there. Her condition then was critical, and it had been when Dr. Angell saw her. She was sent to hospital as a formality, the patient’s condition .being hopeless. She was suffering from toxic exhaustion, caused by severe scalds on the hips, legs and thighs. The coroner said he wanted to know why the patient had not been sent to hospital. “It may have been useless,’ 5 he added, “but I am not going to leave it to the Maoris to decide.”

Witness said Maoris had a great dislike to hospital. Maoris had attended to the burns as well as anyone could have done. Scalds might not look anything serious for the first few days. The coroner: There is one thing I must ask. Why did you certify as to the cause of death?

Witness: I am very well conversant with the regulations, but I think I was justified under the circumstances. The coroner: Where death is not due to natural causes.

Witness: The only fault I could find was that the patient had not been sent to hospital. There is no' law to require that.

The coroner: It may not have been an accident. Witness said the girl had told him how the scalding occurred. He was convinced that there were no suspicious circumstances, otherwise he would have notified the police. The coroner said he was not commenting on witness’ actfion, buti it would be wise for the decision as to the necessity of an inquest to be left to the coroner. The coroner returned a- verdict that death was the result of serious scalds accidentally sustained.