MAORI CHILD’S DEATH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19980, 4 July 1939, Page 7

MAORI CHILD’S DEATH

ACUTE MENINGITIS CASE INQUEST CONCLUDED A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, to the effect that the deceased died of acute meningitis, was returned by the coroner, Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., this afternoon when an inquest into the death of Hana Ratopu, aged three years, who died at the Mokonui pa, Tahunga, on Saturday, was concluded. The inquest was conducted by Constable L. M. Allen, Patutahi. Mick iß’atapu, the father of the child, said that the child had been a healthy one and did not suffer from any illness. Before noon cn Friday the child had been playing about as usual, but took ill about 2 o’clock 'in the afternoon and could not keep any medicine down. Late at night the child became very weak and witness decided to seek medical advice in the morning. The child died about 6 a.m. on Saturday. Evidence that he conducted a post mortem this morning was given toy Dr. Harold Angell, who said that, in his opinion, the cause of death was acute meningitis.

Evidence was given also by Jack Waikato, a Maori labourer, who told the coroner that he was in charge of the Mokonui pa and that the Maoris there sought advice from : him.' Waikato detailed the care taken with the child before she died. Formal evidence was given by Constable L. M. Allen.