A MAORI TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1925, Page 4

A MAORI TRAGEDY

bTVK CHILD TIEN BUI! XT TO DEATH. BY TELEGRAPH —FRES3 ASSN., OOFYIUGIIT. AUCKLAND. Nov. 9. Five Maori children, three girls and two boys, were burned to death last night at Awarun, in the Afaugakahia district, near Keikohc. It appears that their father, Wi Tara, at the time was away conducting a Mormon service at Kawiti. in the neighbouring district, and their mother had left the children under the care of a girl aged ten years, while, with two elder children. she attended 'evening service in the Mormon-Church about a mile aivav. The mother cautioned the children, as she left to go to hod. A neighbour who passed the house shortly after the mother had left, saw two of the children laughing and playing inside. Some time between 8 and 8.30 o’clock, a Maori, alto was attending the Mormon service, had occasion to go outside- for a drink of water, and to his Horror, he saw flames leaping above the enclosure, of wattle trees that surrounded Wi Tara’s house. He immediately alarmed the congregation and dashed across the country with the rest of the natives to the scene of the fire. They found the building elftire|v destroyed, only the chimney standing.

Among the flaming and smoking ruins, a search failed to reveal any of the children, and as soon as the red hot roofing iron could he handled, nit effort was made to find the bodies. The remains of the three youngest were found close together where tliei bed had been. The eldest girl’s remains were where her bed had been. Apparently the youngest four were suffocated in their sleep, while the eldest was overcome a« she was endeavouring to escape from the Haines. Constable Clausen, with Mr T. Guerin. J.P.. proceeded to the scene of the tragedy. The mother, who alone could afford any information, was in such a state of collapse that the inquest was ■ adjourned for a fortnight. j