Family told it must wait for father’s body

Press, 30 January 1986, Page 15

Family told it must wait for father’s body

PA Auckland A Maori family wants Government help to bring back the body of an Auckland man who died in Wales in the week-end. The Bangor Coroner has refused to release the body after disputing a medical report that Mr Reg Lidgard, aged 47, died of a heart attack.

Mr Lidgard’s sister-in-law, Mrs Janet Matthews, has said that the family had approached the New Zealand High Commissioner in London, Mr Bryce Harland, who promisd to help. The family would now approach the Prime Minister, Mr Lange.

Mr Lidgard was a member of the supporters’ group following the St Stephen’s College rugby team of which his son, Lee, was a member. Mrs Matthews said the family was told it could be at least 10 more days before it could get Mr Lidgard’s body back in New Zealand for the tangi at Ahipara.

“We cannot understand the delay — he has three children back here who are finding it difficult enough to believe their father is dead,” she said. “But it is another blow to their unhappiness to discover they cannot bring him back yet.”

Mr Lidgard left New Zealand on January 4 to join his wife, Annie, and Lee.

He was doing some business in Wales before joining the team in France. He fainted on Friday and died in Bangor Hospital the next day. Mr Lidgard’s daughter, an Auckland police constable, hoped her police contacts in New Zealand and Britain would enable a faster release of her father’s body. A spokeswoman for Mr Lange’s office said the Prime Minister would want more details before deciding what action he could take.