DEATH OF MAORI CHILD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19388, 24 July 1926, Page 13

DEATH OF MAORI CHILD.

FAILURE OF FAITH HEALING. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TAUMARUNTJI, Friday. At the adjourned inquest on a female Maori child who died at Kaitepeka, the coroner returned a verdict that death was due to pulmonary affection, probably accelerated by improper food and lack of proper nursing. A Maori woman, Terehia Takiura, who adopted the deceased child two months ago, said her husband had some knowledge of native remedies and was often appealed to for advice by natives in time of sickness. None of the natives in the vicinity of Waimiha was a follower of Ratana, but they believed in Tohunganism to some extent. In many cases a Tohunga could cure sickness. Her husband treated deceased for whooping cough. He sprinkled water on its head and prayed to God to restore it. She believed in faith healing, and that was the reason why she did not call in a doctor. She would act in a similar manner again. She was the grandmother of the deceased. The coroner said he would inform the Departments of Justice and Health of the facts of the case.