MAORI SUPERSTITIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1088, 24 April 1913, Page 3

MAORI SUPERSTITIONS.

SCENE AT A HOSPITAL

Wanganui, April 23

The difficulty which the health authorities have in enforcing proper observance of hygienic rules in the case of Maoris was illustrated by au occurrence which took place at Wanganui Hospital this morning, when a party of excited and angry Natives raised such a hullabaloo that the police had to be called to quieten them. It appears that two Maori girls (sisters) were recently admitted to the hospital suffering from typhoid fever, - and one died. Their friends immediately jumped to tbe conclusiou that the other girl was doomed if she stayed in the institution, and they proceeded there in a body to demand that she be handed over to them.

The Health Inspector, who happened to be there, questioned them, and they made known their intention to ‘‘take her a long distance from town,” presumably with the object of removing her from the supposedly malign influence of the pakeha medicine man. The inspector uaturally refused the request, whereupon they declared their intention ot taking the girl by force, and, consequently, the police were rung up. Ultimately, after consultation between the inspector and the medical superintendent, it was agreed to lec the Maoris have the girl, on their giving au undertaking that she would be isolated, and treated under medical advice. To what extent, however, the Natives will carry out this undertaking remains to be seen.