POST-MORTEM OPPOSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18709, 15 May 1924, Page 6

POST-MORTEM OPPOSED.

HOSTILITY OF THE NATIVES. DEATH OF A MAORI GIRL. SUSPICION OF POISONING. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Wednesday. The hostility of the natives toward the holding of a post mortem examination on a Maori girl named Tiha .Ormsby, aged 18 years, who died at Hauturu, near Kawhia, a few days ago in peculiar circumstances caused the authorities some anxiety. The symptoms indicated that death had been caused by either tetanus or strychnine poisoning. When the death was reported the coroner, Mr. J. Bleat us, ordered a post mortem examination. The relatives of the deceased, however, refused to allow Dr. Cashmore to proceed. The Hamilton police were summoned ana Senior-Sergeant Mathew and two constables went to Hauturu. After a good deal of parleying the Maoris withdrew their opposition and the examination of the body took place. Evidence was given that deceased ate half a tin of pears the night before she died, and complained that they were bad. There was strychnine in the house in which she was employed. Dr. Cashmore said death was due to asphyxia. The inquest was adjourned pending an examination of the contents ■of the stomach by the Government analyst. The police had a very trying experience on the journey to and from Hauturu, the launch they travelled in from Oparau grounding, with the result that several hours of the night were spenfTon a mud bank. .