MAORI’S DEATH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 56, 29 November 1946, Page 5

MAORI’S DEATH

VERDICT OF SUICIDE \ TRAGEDY AT WAIOHAU The inquest into the death of Tame Make Natana an 18-year-old Maori boy took place before the District Coroner, Mr C. S. Armstrong last Friday. The finding was that deceased died as the result of a gunshot wound, self-inflicted, whilst temporarily depressed. The incident occurred on September 27 last.

Maki Natana, a farmer of Waiohau, and father of deceased, gave evidence to the effect that his son, who lived with him, and helped on the farm had, on the morning of the 27th been assisting in the milking shed. He (witness) had had occasion to speak to him for not milking the cows properly. His son had flown into a temper, and said that he would ‘clear out.’ He had watched him cross the paddocks in the direction of Mr Walter Savage’s residence. He did not return home that night, nor the next morning, and witness became concerned over his safety. He went to look for him, and several other Maoris also joined in the search. At midday, he found his son’s body in a paddock about 200 yards from Mr Walter Savage’s residence. A single barrelled shotgun lay across his legs, and he appeared to have been shot. in the face.

Terairi Savage, wife of Mr Walter Savage, stated that at, 8.30 a.m. of the morning of the 27th Tame Make arrived at her house, and said he was hungry. She cooked him a meal, and gave him some cigarettes. He asked if he could borrow a gun with which he declared he wished to shoot hares. She had given him her husband’s shotgun, and after smoking a cigarette, he had departed. At that time he appeared to be perfectly normal and gave no indication of his intention to commit suicide. He had spoken of the row he had had with his father. At about 10 o’clock the same morning she had heard the report of a gun, but paid no attention, as Maoris were in the habit of shooting in the paddocks close to the house. Walter Savage, a labourer employed by the Native Department at Waiohau, stated that he had helped in the search for the missing boy. He had not been present when the body was actually found, but had arrived a,few minutels later. He corroborated the evidence of Maki Natana.

Sergeant Farrell stated that on the date in question he had received a call from Waiohau. On his arrival, he saw several Maoris bringing the body into the pah, and on searching it, had discovered three live cartridges in deceased’s pocket. The finding was as above.