Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7917, 8 April 1887, Page 5

The deaths of Hakuene, M.H.R. for the Maori Northern District, and of the Rev. Renata Tangata, Maori minister, from the effects of eating tinned meat on Sunday last, have caused considerable sensation in the community. And the anxiety has been deepened by the fact that from the same cause the Rev. Mr. Walpole, of St. Gary's, Parnell, was in so critical a state last night that it was found necessary to call in the aid of several medical gentlemen. It is to be earnestly hoped that no further sacrifice of life will result from this unfortunate occurrence. But, however the cases of the remaining sufferers may terminate, it is necessary in the interests of all parties affected, and of the public generally, that no effort or expense should be spared to ascertain the real occasion of the fatality. As will be seen from our other columns, the opinions of a number of medical practitioners have been asked by this office and kindly vouchsafed. Among these will be observed a considerable diversity, and from this it may be inferred that, without a post mortem examination performed on the bodies of the victims, nothing certain cau be arrived at respecting the nature of the poisoning to which their deaths are believed to be attributable. There is, we understand, a strong aversion on the part of the Maoris to the performing of any post mortem examination on the persons of their deceased relatives. But it is surely possible that, for the sake of humanity, the}' might be persuaded to overcome this repugnance. It would, in many respects, be very unfortunate and unsatisfactory if any uncertainty were allowed to remain in connection with a matter which has induced a feeling of sadness and apprehension throughout the whole community. By •some means or other the mystery it is at present involved in, ought to be solved.