DEATH OF MAORI.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4723, 11 July 1924, Page 3

DEATH OF MAORI.

CORONER’S INQUEST. LEFT BY COMPANION. An inquest was opened at the Waihi Courthouse before the district coroner (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) on the native, Mani Waitika, found on the road near Hikutaia on Saturday last. SeniorCergeant O’Grady represented the police. ' , Waitika Taupo, father of deceased, deposed that his son resided with him at Kerepeehi, and was employed by the Public Works Department digging drains at Kopuarahi. He last saw deceased alive on Saturday morning, when he (deceased) was about to proceed to Hikutaia on horseback with a companion named Horo Baggs. Deceased was a married man, aged 47 years, and was living apart from his wife. His three children lived with witness. Evidence of identification was then given by witness, and the coroner adjourned the inquest sine die.

According to further investigations made by the police, it would appear that deceased and Baggs were at Hikutaia for some time, and towards evening proceeded to gallop along the road on horseback. Baggs, who was ahead, noticed deceased’s horse coming along without any rider, and proceeding back he found deceased lining on the road, where he had evidently been thrown from his horse. In reply to a question by Baggs deceased said he was "all right,” and Baggs, thinking he'wanted to sleep, left him. It is understood that the result o'f the post-mortem, as ordered by the coroner shows that deceased’s skull was fractured.