MAORI BOY DROWNED

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 9

MAORI BOY DROWNED

EVIDENCE OF DRINKING [Peb United Press Association.] GISBORNE, February 9. An inquest was held atTokomaru Bay to-day in connection with the death ol a Maori boy named Heki Tapu, aged about sixteen, whose body was lound floating in Te Puia Lako on February 8. Evidence of an unusual character was adduced. George Dewcs, .jun., stated that about noon on Sunday he met a Maori boy named Tame Pokai, who produced a bottle of whisky about three parts full. Together they consumed the contents. The bottle was thrown into the lake Witness walked round the back of the lake, where he met the deceased, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor and was somwhat incoherent in his speech. Dewes declared that he did not see anyone supply liquor to the deceased, and he left him there. Later ho and Pokai met again and went to the hospital, where after talking for some time they parted and went home. Pokai telephoned him later in the evening and inquired after the deceased, and witness went out and searched in vain. Tame Pokai, a Maori youth, said he found a full bottle of whisky under the seat of a car which he drove for his employer. He took the bottle, and went down to the lake, where he met the deceased. At a point near the quarry lie had three drinks and the deceased had two, and then witness left -his companion. Witness met Dewes, and together they finished the bottle. Meanwhile the deceased had gone to lie down in the scrub, where he was later seen by Dewes. When the deceased could not be found later witness thought he would be all right, thinking he had stayed with friends. The jury returned a verdict that the lad was drowned on February 5, but there was not sufficient evidence to show how he got into the water.