MAORI YOUTH'S FATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19761, 7 October 1927, Page 14

MAORI YOUTH'S FATE.

BODY FOUND IN SHED. DEATH DUE TO ASPHYXIA. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OPOTIKI, Thursday. An inquest concerning the death of Pency Ilira Waipaki, a Maori youth, whose body was found hanging in a separator room on the farm where he was employed, was held this afternoon by Mr. P. A. Crawford, coroner. Constable Heaslip represented the police and Mr. N. V. Hodgson appeared for relatives. Dr. F/S. Forbes gave evidence regarding an examination of the body. In his opinion death was due to cferebral congestion and asphyxia. Replying to Mr. Hodgson the doctor said he had seen the rope used. His impression was that the act was inadvertent, judging by the size of the loop in the rope. Pericy Frederick Jennings, farmer, of Paerata Ridge, said that Waipaki had worked for him for 14 months. Deceased was well behaved and bright. Witness last saw him alive about 6 p.m. on Monday in the separator room about to wash the separator. Witness returned in about half an hour and saw deceased hanging from a rafter by a rope. He immediately lifted the body out of the rope. The feet of deceased were about one foot from the ground. Replying to Mr. Hodgson witness said deceased did not have to do anything to the engine after witness left. The ropo had been hanging in the same place since September 10. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to asphyxia by hanging, according to the medical evidence, but whether the act which led to the youth's death was intentional or accidental there was nothing to show. Mr. FTodgson had emphasised to the coroner that he completely exonerated Mr. Jennings from any blame in the matter.