ATTACKED BY BULLOCK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 11

ATTACKED BY BULLOCK.

MAORI GORED TO DEATH. ANIMAL CUT OUT FROM MOB. GISBORNE, May 18. Giving evidence at the adjourned inquest regarding the death of the Maori, Rawiri Teeke, who was gored by a bullock, Alfred Edward Durston said he was in charge of a chaffcutting plant in a paddock at Repongaera. The deceased wandered round the plant and asked for some matches. Witness told him he had none, and the Maori then walked out toward the road. Witness noticed a mob of bullocks coming down the road in charge of two drovers, One bullock was unable to go any further, and the drover therefore drafted it out. The Maori walked out on to the road and said something to the drover, who told him to keep back out of the way. The deceased did not take any notice, however, and the drover then rode on to open a gate, evidently with the intention of putting the bullock into the paddock. At the time the drover was opening the gate the bullock charged the Maori and knocked him down. It then stood again for a moment and then charged again and kneeled on the deceased. Witness stopped the machinery, and with several other hastened out with forks to divert the attention of the bullock from the Maori. Others picked up the old man and laid him on some sacks near the chaffcutter. The Maori was then groaning and asked to be taken home. The drover rang up for an ambulance.

The coroner found that death was caused by shock, following on severe internal injuries caused by being gored by a bullock.