CORONER'S INQUESTS AT TAIRUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8375, 1 October 1890, Page 5

CORONER'S INQUESTS AT TAIRUA.

TiIKKK have been two coroner's inquests held in the district lately. Mr. Clay, J. 1 ,., of Mercury B.iy, conducted the inquiries. Dr. Bedford camo from the Hay to give evidence in the cases. An old resident in the district, whoso name was Henry Harris, died at the landing on tho 17th instant, after throe days of intense sutterintc. Although generally supposed that tho cause of death was stricture of long standing, the authorities decided it best to hold an en quiry, and the body was brought down to Tairua. At tho inquest medical evidence went to show that stricture of the bladder was the cause of death, and that had deceased been where medical advice was available his lifo could not have been prolonged unlurtS he had boon treated some six months previously. The verdict was ac cordingly recorded as tho result of " Natural causes.' Tho deceased was about 6.") years of age. He was known to have been in the militia twenty-six years ago. He was a native ot London, a butcher by trade, and served his apprenticeship in Red Lion Square. Mr. Mynder, in whose employ In , was, had come from the Thames on purpose to try und get him away to a medical man. and had'arranged for tho Kauri Timber Co.'s steamer to go round to Mercury Bay with him, but his death occurred on the morniug'the steamer was to have left. The second inquest was on tho body of a Maori, whose name was Ivohotu Mauwea, an old and well-known Tauranga chief, pro.'het, and doctor. The old man had been missed from his camp on Friday, t.ln: I'2th .September, and search was made by his friends, and on the following day his body was found in a water-hole, Green Point Creek, with a fractured skull. Evi deuce at tin: inquest went to show that the old man was near-sighted, and though generally prevented from going out gumming, ho had on this occasion managed to trot away by himself, and that he had flipped over a cliff W foot from where tho body was found. Medical evidence went to show that tho fracture of the skull was sufficient to cause death. The verdict was " Accidental death." Natives to the number of over '200 mustered to attend the usual native ceremonies attenda'i on the death of a chief. Mr. J. T. Ed wards acted as interpreter at tho inquiry.—[Own Correspondent.]