MAORI CYCLIST'S FATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 10

MAORI CYCLIST'S FATE.

BODY FOUND ON ROAD. :

RUN DOWN BY MOTOR-VEHICLE.

DISCOVERY AT PATUMAHOE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PATUMAHOE, Thursday.

Tho body of the native, Hamihana Waaka, known as Samuel Walker, was discovered lying on tho edge of tho metalled roadway almost directly opposite tho post office at Patumahoe a few minutes after six o'clock last evening by Mr. PL \V. Harrison, of Pukekohe, who was proceeding homo to Pukekohe from beyond Patumahoe by car. About six feet behind the body was deceased's bicycle, with tho rear wheel and rear portion of the frame crumpled. Some distance along the road was deceased's hat.

Mr. Harrison returned to the Patumahoe Hall and obtained the assistance of Mr. W. E. Johns in case the Maori might still be living, and Dr. Begg was summoned from Pukekohe. However, it was found that the native was dead.

The police were advised and Sergeant Cowan and Constable O'Donnell, from Pukekohe, arrived and started investigations, whilo to-day Detective-Sergeant Bickerdyke is also inquiring into the matter.

It is known that deceased called at the Patumahoe Hotel at about 5.55, and a few minutes later set out for home on his bicycle. Just about six o'clock the postmaster at Patumahoe, Mr. Walker, who was working in the post office, heard a scraping sound on the road and a car accelerate. The noise was not sufficiently sharp to compel attention. Ifc was not until Mr. Walker heard of the finding of the body that he attached importance to it. It was dark about the time of tho accident and there is no street light near the scene. Tho bicycle was equipped with a red reflector, but no front light. Deceased would be travelling in the direction of Pukekohe, and all the evidence points to the conclusion that an overtaking car came round the corner in the centre of the township about 50yds. away and collided with the cyclist from behind. At the inquest, which was opened by {he district coroner, Sir. C. K.' Lawrie, at Patumahoe to-day, Dr. Begg gave evidence that a post-mortem examination revealed that three ribs on deceased's left side were broken and had penetrated the heai't. This supported the conclusion that deceased had been run over by a car or other heavy vehicle. Death must have been almost instantaneous.

Scrapings of red enamel were found on the rear mudguard and frame of the bicycle.

Deceased, who was single, was 25 years of age, and resided with his father at Patumahoe. Until some seven months ago he was employed on ships.