DEATH OF MAORI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 123, 14 February 1940, Page 5

DEATH OF MAORI

CORONER'S VERDICT

MEDICAL EVIDENCE HEARD

The inquest into the death of John -JVlaaka, the young Maori who died -•at Te Teko as the result of injuries inflicted by Robert Tukehu on the night of January 20th, was resumed before Mr G. A. Brabant,, J.P., yesterday afternoon.

Frederick John Appleby, medical practitioner, said at about 10.45 p.m. on January 20th he was called by the P.olicc to go to Te Teko. He *vent to the house of Mita Makiha -■and there found the body of a Maori, whose name was said to be Johnny Maaka. The body was lying on the .grass outside the house.

The body Avas warm, said witness, -■and lie estimated that Maaka had been dead from one and a half to t\vo hours. There were injuries to th<? jJlpad which appeared to be the death. Dr. Appleby said he performed a Post Mortem examination on the 21st, and described the injuries to .the scalp and skull. The cause of death was damage to the brain tissues and haemmorrhage into the brain as a result of blows received from a blunt instrument. Unconsciousness would result from the first, blow and death would follow very soon afterwards. The coroner returned a verdict that John Maaka died at Te Teko on the 20th day of January, 1940. The deceased was struck some severe blows on the head with a crank or starting-handle of a motor car by Robert Tukehu (of Te Teko). Deceased received such injuries to .the brain, which caused his death.