A MAORI'S DEATH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 269, 24 April 1917, Page 2

A MAORI'S DEATH.

Body Exhumed.

Native Hostility.

The primitive mode of the Maoris concerning the death and burial of one of their race in the Waiuku district is once again responsible for official action, attended by circumstances of a sensational character. The facts are that last November a Maori, named Perekei Kaihau, age 4 between 40 and 50, a son of Kerei Kaihau, who was a prominent leader in the Maori insurrection of the sixties, died late one afternoon at Moeatoa Pah, about three miles from Waiuku, and was buried at sunrise next moining by the natives in the adjacent burial ground. No tangi was held and the fact of his death was kept secret, some of the Maoris, it is alleged, being told by the father Kaihau) to say that Perekei had gone to an address unknown if they were asked where he was. Rumours that foul play was the cause of death gained currency among the Maoris and eventually reached the ears of the police, who for a month past have been engaged in making enquiries. Last week the father was interviewed and his reply to questions was that Perekei had been " makutued " (bewitched). Asked whether he objected to the body 1 eing dug up and examined the father indignantly objected and told the police that they would have to fight him first and that he would oppose them until he was killed. In co- sequence of his hostile attitude a watch was last week kept day and night by the police over the cemetery but no attempt was made bv Kerei to interfere with the grave. The Minister for Internal Affairs was communicated with and his order for the exhumation of the body reached Sergt. Cowan at Pukekohe last Saturday. Armed with that authority a force of police, composed of Detective Cullen (Auckland), Sergt. Cowan and Constable O'Donuell (Pukekohe), Constables Chriastiansen (Waiuku) and Taylor (Tuakau), and accompanied by Mr W- J. Kins, the District Coroner, and a Maori Interpreter, proceeded out to tho Pah in tli9 afternoon, equipped with shovels and spades. The warrant for the exhumation of the body was read over and interpreted to Kerei, to which he replied that he recognised no British Government and that he would reMat anyone interfering with the reman-,. Whilst the " korero " or parley was prrceeding at the Pah with Kerei Constables Taylor and O'DouneH unobserved made their way to the cemetery and expeditiously .-er to work to disinter the body, which had been buriel ab.mt six feet deep and had been placed in tho ground without a coffin but wrapped in mats and shawls. By arrangement, Dr Tck-Hewins (Waiuku quietly arrived on the scene at.il made a pjst-iuor:em examination of tliH body, which was in a well preserved condition It was not until investigations had been practically completed tint the natives became aware of the proceedings but then a iarge crowd assembled in the graveyard and loudly voiced their resentment a' the action of the police. Two Constables were left in charge of the body whilst the other officials returned to Waiuku, where au inquest was opened before the Cm- ntr 4 Mr Kir g) p, e evidence of a coup'e of Maori witnesses was taken, their depositions being that l'erekei had been i.l tor some time prior to his death.

It was, however, also stated by them that a disturbance had occurred in the whare the day before the death and that a native woman in the pah, who had been " porangi" (mad), immediately regained her senses when Perekei died.

Dr Ick-Hewins spoke as to the result of the post mortem examination saying that very little of the lungs remained and that death was apparently due to consumption. No bonas were broken and both the head and skin were quite sound. It was, however, impossible for him to say whether or not the deceased had been strangled. The enquiry was then ad journed until the 3Gth'inst, the body being reinterred bv the police about 8 p m., the Maoris then refusing to go near the spot.