DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23413, 1 August 1939, Page 14

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

MAORI COUPLE'S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

TWO PATHETIC NOTES READ '

[by telegraph—bwir* correspondent] 'DAIt V A VILLE, Monday. A verdict that death in each case was due to. hemorrhage following gunshot wounds was given by. tho district coroner, Mr. J. A. McLean, at the inquest into the deaths of Lucy Piri, aged 20,' and Tom -Piri, aged 28, who were •found dead together with a single-bar-relled shotgun near by at Tangowaliine on July 7. Their one-year-old baby was found sitting on its dead mother's body when the tragedy was discovered.

"Put Lucy and I in one grave. Give baby my love and kiss her for me", were the chief contents of a disjointed note found in the clothing of the dead man and produced at the inquest by Sergeant F. Cullotv. A second no,to also produced and found in the clothing of tho dead woman stated: "31um, don't worry about mo and Tom. It's about time ho did something. Kiss baby for me." Tho position of tho bodies and the finding of the shotgun were described by Constable W. E. C. Bruce. Ho added tiiat Tom Piri had purchased a packet of cartridges. throe days before the shooting took place. "Two days before the _shqpting Pin called on me and asked if P could assist him to got his baby away from Lucy," said Sergeant Culloty. "He stated that the baby's mother had not been treating it properly and that she had been cruel to it." The sister of Tom Piri, Miriama Kairati, of Whangarei, stated that two days before the tragedy she visited tho district and asked- Lucy to return to Tom. Lucy said she might. Witness added that she then told Tom whftt Lucy had - said. Tom said: "I do not worry much about Lucy, but it is the baby, and I will have to end up somehow. I had better die if I cannot got the child back." "Ho did not suggest that he was going to kill Lucy nor did he mention in what manner ho was going to kill himself." said witness. Medical evidence was also given by Dr. M- Grcvillo.