DEATH OF A MAORI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 11

DEATH OF A MAORI

| BODY FOUND IN RIVER BULLET WOUND IN HEAD [from our owx correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday After a quarrel with his sister, a Maori farm labourer, Waikato Raniera, aged 24, of Komakorau, near Taupiri, disappeared early on Tuesday morning, and his body was recovered yesterday from the Komakorau River. The deceased had a rifle-shot wound in the head. Raniera, who was employed by Mr. M. M. Sinclair, of Komakorau, lived with his parents on an adjoining farm. On New Year's Eve he attended a dance with his sister and brothers. When he returned early the following morning he had a discussion with his sister over a former quarrel. Apparently they were unable to agree, and Raniera left, stating: "You will see me in heaven." When the deceased's coat was found yesterday morning on a bank of the Komakorau River the police were informed and commenced a search for the missing man. The body was recovered from the river, but so far the gun has not been found.

An inquest was held in Ngnruawahia Inst evening, tho coroner, Mr. F. Harris, finding that death was due to a rifle-shot wound in the head. As a ifsult of a further search to-day tho rifle was recovered from the river at a point near where tho body lay. A discharged cartridge was found in tho breech.