KILLED IN THE BUSH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 12

KILLED IN THE BUSH.

MAORI'S ACCIDENTAL DEATH

PINNED DOWN BY TREE. FOUND DEAD BY COMPANION. [BY TF.LKGUAI'H. —OWN COHItF.SPON HUNT. ] TAIHAPK, Wednesday A Maori, Rawiri Rauliilii, otherwise known as Morgan Wildman, was accidentally killed late yesterday afternoon wliilc engaged with other natives in felling luislt on Mr. C. O'llanlon's property. Turangaarerc, near Taihape. At the inquest this afternoon Dr. 11. M. Hay said death was caused by a fracture of tho skull.

Rawiri Mateparae, a native labourer, said lie and deceased and another Maori. Phillip Raukawa, were bushfelling yesterday. The deceased was felling a tree about 15yds. away from witness, who could not see the deceased, as another tree in the vicinity hid Wildrnau from view. Witness was sitting down when he heard the tree which deceased was felling crash to the ground. Almost immediately afterwards he heard a second crash as if another tree had fallen in the same vicinity, lie called out to the deceased and upon receiving 110 reply made investigations and found the deceased lying faco downwards with the heavy limb of another tree near the one he had felled lying light across the small of his back. Wildman was quite dead. With assistance witness was able to lift the limb of tho tree off the deceased's back.

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anybody.