MAORI WOMAN’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 25564, 6 January 1945, Page 3

MAORI WOMAN’S DEATH

Lethal Wounds In Head (P.A.) WHANGAREI, January 5. A tragedy resulting in the death of Mrs Mere Paea Aperahama Orikena, aged about 30 years, the wife of Aperahama Orikena, and mother of five children, the eldest 14 and the youngest two, occurred early this morning or late last night at Mangamuku Bridge, half-way between Okaihau and Kaitaia. Her husband reported that he found his wife at four 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 lethal wounds in the head and both eyes were bady bruised and closed. She died shortly afterwards.

Orikena is a share milker employed by Mr K. 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 midday by Detect-ive-Sergeant Finlay, of Whangarei, and Sergeant Sargent, of Kaikohe. The inquest was opened this afternoon and, after evidence of identification, was adjourned sine die.