DEATH OF MAORI.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 September 1935, Page 5

DEATH OF MAORI.

■INQUEST CONDUCTED. At the Courthouse, Levin, this morning there was conducted before the District Coroner, Mr G. 11.. Harper, an inquest into the death of an elderly Native, Parawhenua Matakatea, which occurred suddenly at his residence, Kawiu Road, on Thursday last, at the age of about 57 years. Evidence of identification was given by a son-in-law of the deceased, Te Karu Tukapua, the occupier of the dwelling where the death occurred. Deceased, who was of uncertain age, had, he said, conic to the house on Tuesday in a state of obvious ill-health, but had refused medical atcntion. Witness had left him on Thursday morning to procure various medical requisites, and on his return had found him lifeless, when the po'lice and medical aid had been called in.

Corroborative evidence was given by John i’lrovauo, who stated that for the past few days deceased had been suffering from a bad cough, and by Ilohepa Kiriwehi, who said that deceased had been in poor health for many years. His appearance had been that of a person affected with tuberculosis, which had been prevalent in the family. (Evidence of a medical nature was given by Dr. S. J. Thompson, who had been called to the scene of death on Thursday morning. He gave liis opinion that death had occurred from pneumonia supervening on chronic chest trouble, .probably of a tubercular nature. A verdict was returned by the Coroner in accordance with the medical evidence.