TAMAKI RIVER TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 14 June 1935, Page 6

TAMAKI RIVER TRAGEDY

FUNERAL OF MAORI GIRL. MOURNING TRIBESMEN ATTEND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 13. By the time the body of the halfeasto Maori girl, Mary Elizabeth Raymond, identified as tho young woman found in the Tamaki River, leaves Auckland to-morrow for Te Puke, the assembly of hundreds of mourning tribespeoplo will have commenced. Arrangements were completed at Auckland to-day for the taking of the body to Te Puke, where a tangi will be held.

Miss Raymond was a popular figure at Te Puke, where her parents live. Mourning ceremonies proper will begin on Saturday, according to the arrangemerits, bnt numbers 'of 3Nlat>ris are expected to arrive at Te Puke to-morrow. The tangi, which will be held on the tribal marae, will continue throughout the week-end, and the burial is to take place either on Monday or Tuesday. Miss Raymond was a- member of the Arawa tribe. While many Arawas from throughout the Ray of Plenty and Rotorua districts will attend with their leaders to deliver ceremonial orations, other tribes will be represented, even from as far as Wellington. A member of the Arawa tribe said that the circumstances of the case were felt keenly by all Maoris. Mr P. Raymond, the brother of the dead girl, said there was no doubt in the minds of the relatives regarding identification, although the difficulties which had confronted the police in that respect were appreciated. The authorities have placed no obtsacle in the way of claiming the remains, although the unusual circumstances caused bv the need for a minute examination might have delayed the funeral.

Post-mortem examinations by experts have been completed, hut no announcement of any results has been made. The early resumption of the inque.st is not expected, and the police will continue their extensive inquiries. •These are being concentrated at Auckland. j