A MAORI’S DEATH

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2034, 20 March 1907, Page 2

A MAORI’S DEATH

THE INQUEST. Tlie inquest touching the death of a native named Hohepa Waikore was continued before the Coroner, Mr. Barton, at the C our thouso yesterday afternoon. Detective Maddern appeared for the police. Herbert Houltham, a carpenter, said lie saw deceased in Stanley roar] about 6.15 a.m. on Wednesday. He was lying on tlio road, and appeared to bo stupid. Witness shook him,

and deceased frothed at the mouth. With the assistance of another man he dressed deceased,, who was minus some clothes. He sent for tlio police. Witness saw no liquor.

Dr. Morrison said that deceased was admitted to the Hospital oil Wednesday morning, and lie saw him soon after. He was unconscious, and remained so till he died on the Friday morning. 'Witness thought that deceased died through hemorrhage of the brain. He did not observe any sign of drinlc. By Detective Maddern: Tlie fall oil the road from his horse would be sufficient to cause death. Thomas Donovan, a laborer, deposed that he saw deceased about 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday last. After going five or six chains along the road lie heard deceased moaning. Ile went up and found deceased in a partly sitting position, with the liridlo in his hand. Witness inquired if he was* hurt, and received the reply “No” and the word “Waipiro,” which witness took to mean that deceased was drunk. Deceased asked him to take the horse and put it in his paddock, saying that he would pay witness. The latter brought the saddle and bridle back and laid them upon the grass, and deceased came 11]) and laid down, using the saddle for a pillow. Ho inquired if any other Maoris were about. Witness said he knew one, but deceased said lie would remain where he was till morning. Witness then left him, and returned at five o’clock the next morning, but only saw deceased’s liat, saddle, and bridle. At a quarter past nix, when going to work, lie saw deceased further along the road, lying against the fence. His clothing was disarranged. He looked as though he were sound asleep. By the Foreman: Deceased was quite sensible and able to make a , bargain oil the Tuesday night. All i his clothing was off on that night. He did not appear to have been interfered with. Constable Irwin stated that lie saw j deceased lying on Stanley road. He thought lie was the worse for liquor. Witness tried to rouse him, but without success, and then got a cab and took him to the Hospital. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased met his death on the loth inst. from hemorrhage of the brain, due to a fall from a horse.