FATAL SCUFFLE

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 10

FATAL SCUFFLE

INQUEST ON MAORI All BLACK [Pee United Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., September 25. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Maori All Black, Bernard Edward Rogers, which occurred here on Thursday following a fall on the previous night, was opened to-day before Mr A. J. Graham, coroner. William Teihoka Parata, a farmer, of Waitati, selector of the Maori representatives, gave evidence of identification. He last saw Rogers alive on Wednesday night, about 8 o’clock. He was in his usual state of health, but was in a semi-drunken condition. “ I was surprised to see him in that condition,” added witness, “ because I did not know he drank. I left the hotel, and about an hour later was notified of an accident at the hotel involving one of the players. I immediately returned to the hotel, but by this time the injured man had been taken to hospital. I was informed of what had taken place. I witnessed the football match during the afternoon, and the deceased received no injury during the match so far as I know.” The inquest was adjourned sine die. [lt was stated in a previous message that the deceased and Hawoa Mataira, of Wairoa (another member of the team) had an argument as to the ownership of an Australian souvenir, and during the scuffle Rogers fell on the concrete floor to*su(l'cr fatal injuries. Rogers from Gisborne, but belonged to the Rotorua district. He was 24 years ofago ijnrriofll.^