FARM TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25736, 6 January 1945, Page 4

FARM TRAGEDY

MAORI WOMAN’S DEATH, SEVERE WOUNDS IN HEAD (P.A.) WHANGAREI, Jan. 5. A tragedy resulting in the death of Mrs Oere Haea Orikena, aged about 30 years, occurred early this morning or late last night at Mangamuku Bridge halfway between Okaikau and Kaitaia. The deceased was the wife of Aperahama Orikena, and the mother of five children, the eldest aged 14 years and the youngest two. The deceased’s husband reported that he found his wife at 4 o’clock this morning on the bank of the Mangamuku Stream, and carried her to a cowshed 300 yards from her residence. She was suffering from severe wounds in the head and both eyes were badly bruised and closed. She died shortly afterwards. Orikena is a share milker employed by Mr J. R. Crallan, and he and his family lived in a three-roomed cottage a-quarter of a mile from the main highway, access being gained by a private road. It is stated that a party was held at the cottage last night.

Constables from Rawene and Kohukohu were early on the scene, and they were joined before mid-day by Detective Sergeant Finlay, of Whangarei, and Sergeant Sargent, of Kaikohe. An inquest was opened this afternoon and, after evidence of identification had been taken, was adjourned sine die.