DEATH OF MAORI CHILD

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 9

DEATH OF MAORI CHILD

NO MEDICAL ATTENTION

An inquest was held at the Kaitaia Courthouse on Monday before a jury of four, of whom Mr C. McKinnon was chosen foreman, and a Justice of the Peace, as acting coroner, concerning the death of Martha Heteraka, daughter of Hinare Heteraka, of Oturu, on November 29. The inquiry was conducted by Sergeant Claasen.

Tthe mother stated in evidence that the child was born Oturu on September 24 last, and was normal and apparently healthy at birth. One week after the birth the mothek of witness took the child away to Awanui. From that time the child had been bottlefed. On November 26 her mother brought the child home, and witness fed her from the bottle after that. The child had a cough, but witness did not think it serious. On November 26, however, she telephoned for the district nurse, who was not home at the time. The child had had no medical attention since her birth.

Riri Henare, grandmother of the child, said the child had been coughing about three days before being taken to her mother.

John Herbert Rule, medical practitioner, said there was no evidence of neglect, and in his opinion death was due to bronchial pneumonia.

A verdict was recorded in accordance with the medical evidence. The jury added that the attention of the Maoris should be drawn to the fact that in cases of serious illness medical advice should be immediately obtained.