SUICIDE AT A HOSPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 287, 26 April 1913, Page 6

SUICIDE AT A HOSPITAL.

DEMAND BY ANGRY MAORIS. Wanganui, April 23. The difficulty which the health authorities have in enforcing-proper observance of hygienic rules in the case of Maoris was illustrated by an occurrence which took place at the Wanganui, Hospital this morning, when a party of excited and angry natives raised such a hullabaloo that the police had to be called to quieten them. It appears that two Maori girls (sisters) were recently admitted to the hospital suffering from ■ typhoid fever, and one died. Their friends immediately jumped to the conclusion that the other girl whs doomed if she stayed in the institution, and they proceeded there in a body to demand that she be handed over to them. The Health Inspector, who happened to bo there, questioned them, and they made known their intention to "takeiher a long distance from town," presumably with the object of removing her from the supposed malign influence of the pakeha medicine man. The inspector naturally refused the request, whereupon they declared their intention of taking the girl by force, and, consequently, the police ■.vere rung up. Ultimately, after consultation between the inspector and the medical superintendent, it was agreed to let the Maoris have the girl, on their giving an undertaking that she would be isolated, and treated under medical advice. To what extent, however, the natives will carry out this undertaking remains to be seen.