A DEMENTED MAORI.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4668, 29 February 1924, Page 2

A DEMENTED MAORI.

TROUBLE AT TIROHIA. Shoitly after 9 o’clock on Wednesday evening the Paeroa Police received advice from Tirohia that a Native woman named Mihiriama Kimokimo, wife of Rawhiti Mete, otherwise known as George Smith, was Wandering about near the railway apparently demented, and using threatening behaviour and brandishing a knife whenever any of the Maoris went near her.

Constable McClinchy, accompanied by Nurse Henry, district Native nurse, hastened to Tirohia and found the M-.ioris in a great state of excitement. Great trouble was experienced in persuading the unfortunate woman that no haim would befall her if she would accompany the nurse to Paeroa, but eventually, accompanied by her six ch’ldren, whose ages range from 12 years to three months, she was conveyed to the Paeroa police station, arriving after midnight. The woman was placed under arrest as a mentally defective person, and the children were c<ired for by Mrs McClinchy, assisted by Nur.se Henry.

Yesterday morning an examination of the woman was made by Dr. Smith and Dr. Little, who certified to the patient’s insanity, and later on Messrs W. F. North and F. E. Flatt, J’s.P., executed the necessary papers committing her to the Avondale Mental Hospital, whither she was sent by the express in the custody of Nurse Henry and Constable Whiting, of Waihi. The police have since laid information charging the children with not being under parental control. Owing to the absence of a magistrate the children were remanded to the Receiving Home. Hamilton, until March 6. The children are being.well cared for by Mrs McClinchy until such time as the authorities from the home can take them away. The busband, who is well known in this district, is believed to be engaged in gumdigging near Tauranga, but has not yet been located.