THE EAST COAST NATIVES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 37

THE EAST COAST NATIVES.

DREADFUL MORTALITY THROUGH NEGLECT. The Native Minister has received a report from Msjor Gudgeon, who is at present holding a Native Land Court north of Gisborne. He forwards a schedule of 72 Natives, the greator portion of whom are ohildreu, who have di d in that district during the last three or four months. He also states that soma others have also died tbsre, of whom he has no returns. Major Gudgeon says : “ I am not prepared to say the fever is of so malignant a type as to justify such a number of deaths—nearly equal to 10 per cent of the population of the district. It seems to me the deaths are in a great measure duo to tho barbarous treatment they have received from the Maori doctors, who are nothing if not heroic in their treatment.” The writer goes on to say that apparently few hove died at Waipiro, which may fairly be attributed to tho presence of Mr Scott, who i 3 not a qualified practitioner, but nevertheless has a knowledge of medicine. The population in tho district is at present too scattered to Bupport a modical man without some assistance, but a guarantee of £2OO per annum would bo forthcoming for such a purpose. In this connection tho following telegram was on Tuesday sent to Major Gudgeon, by direction of the Native Minister:—“The Hon the Native Minister directs me to thank you for your report, received to-day. If residents are willing to guarantee subsidy to medical man to the amount you name (£200), the Government will supplement the amour t by £IOO a year for two or three years.” Mr Scott, the genfc’emau referred to above, has also written from the Native Dispensary at YYaipiro, saying that the great mortality among the Natives there arises wholly and solely from superstition, laziness, and natural ineptitude in looking after the sick. He considered himself quite up to the medical requirements of tho district, and says ho has been very successful in his treatment of favor oases, especially among ohildreu. One per cent. t he believes would represent the mortality iu such cases. The district whore the mortality ha 3 so largely prevailed has not, he says, been visited, for the reason that the Maoris would not permit him to treat them, but stiok to their tohungas, To Kooti rites, and anointing withal according to the Mormon oreed. There has been but one death in Waipiro and the neighbourhood from enteric fever supervening on typhoid, and several children have been brought from Waipiro, aud returned cured. Mr Scott enclosed a letter from a gentleman resident at Waipna, who says the Maoris are a hopeless case; a gentleman at Kawapawa had been supplying them gratia with medioine and medical comforts, and now they would not take any of the medicines because, forsooth, Te Kooti did not approve of pakeha drugs. Tho writer clteß the case of a girl about thirteen years of age, who, having got over the worst of tho fever, was found partaking of a heavy repast. He remonstrated with them and told them sbo would die, but they simply smiled at the innocence of the pakeha

and paid no attention to his remarks. The girl died in a day or two after from inflammation. The writer complains that the Maoris will not isolate, or take advice, and are constantly to bo found herded together in the one smoky house, well and siok in the same apartment as the dead and dying. What, he asks, is the use of a doctor U3ing his best endeavours to benefit the self-willed people ? Previous to the reception of these letters. Mr Scott, -.vhoisan experienced dispenser,and has been very successful in the treatment of fever cases among the Natives, had been instructed by the Government to visit the affected districts and dispense the necessary medicines. He i 3 a Maori linguist, and had the confidence of the chief natives on the East Coast district. The singular part of the whole affair is that these Maoris, among whom there is such a great mortality, are in most cases large landowners and perfectly well to do.