KILLED IN BUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 14

KILLED IN BUSH

FATE OF YOUNG MAORI EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST [by telegraph—own correspondent] t ROTORUA, Friday An inquest was held to-day at Mourea bv Mr. S. L. Pateison, S.M., district coroner, concerning the death of Wi Ratu, who was accidentally killed while at work in the bush at Mangaheipua on WednesEvidence was given by Kapa Taikehu that he was bush foreman at Mangaheipua Bush, on the Maniatutu Road, about 20 miles from Rotorua Road. He was in charge of a gang of men employed on a bush felling contract for Roto.t, deveW ment scheme, and deceased was one of the men employed. Deceased was married acred 25 years, and had two chil dren. He resided at the bush camp at Mangaheipua. He had been working at the camp for about three weeks and was an experienced bushman. At about 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday witness called to the men to stop for a spell. Deceased was missed, and some of the men then , went to look for him. Patenk Fiini found him dead. r lhe bush where deceased was working was not dangerous. Pateriki Hiiri, another employee, said he was working with other natives bushfelling with Ratu, whom he last saw at about 2.15 p.m. At the time he was working only aboutf two chains away. With other natives witness went in search of deceased when lie was missed, and found him lying on some branches near the tawa tree he had been felling. The tree had split, said witness, and had apparently swung out and struck deceased, who was badly crushed about/ the upper part of his body. Corroborative evidence was also given by Ti Kangawhenua. After evidence had been given by the police, who visited the scene of the accident, the coroner returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed. : _