SUICLDE BY A MAORI AT WAIUKU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2788, 4 January 1873, Page 3

SUICLDE BY A MAORI AT WAIUKU.

-Aif inquest on tlie body of a native named Hori Toti, by Captain Harris, J.P., and a jury of twelve, comprised of Europeans and aboriginal natives, of which Captain J. C. Johnstone was chosen foreman, -was held on Tuesday last at Waiuku. Tβ PuUeata, the chief witness called, said: On Monday niorning I saw Hori Toti dead. I don't know the cause of his death. He had a piece of flax around his neck, and was hanging to a fence. He was untied and brought here. I saw him on Sunday; he was then quite well. I do not know any reason for him killing himself. He was sitting on the ground with the flux round hia neck. There was a great Btrain on the flax. I believe he did it himself. He was about thirty yards from the house. There were fifteen natives present when we found him. The deceased was on good terms with the ■whole settlement. He was not a married man, but he was living with b. woman some time ago. They wae forbidden to live together any longer, and the woman was taken and Riven to another man. The deceased has been in a. low etale over it. I believe he hung himself through it.—Several other witnesses were examined. They generally corroborated the evidence of the first.—The jury brought in the following verdict:—"That the deceaeed, Hori Toti, hanged himself on tb* night of the 29th December, 1872, in consequence of the woman with whom he had been living, but who had been taken away from him, being about to be given to anothe'r man, l:. accordance with Maori eustjm."