MAORI YOUTH'S SUICIDE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 234, 24 May 1932, Page 5

MAORI YOUTH'S SUICIDE

Our Own Correspondent.)

pathetig note left "I AM UNABLE TO LIVE IN THJS WORLD" EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

(From

WHAKATANE, Monday. The inquest on Tahi Takao, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in his breast on Saturday evgning at Waimana, was held at Waimana today before the Coroner, Mr. G. A. Brabant, J.P., who returned the verdict that deceased died as the result of a gunshot wound self inflicted. John Wi Tepou stated that deceased was a farmer, aged 21 years, working at Tuturiri .He went to stay at witness's house last Thursday. He last saw deceased about 4.30 p.m. on Saturday. At 5 p.m. he heard a shot in the whare whefe deceased slept He saw deceased lying outside the whare on the ground. A double barrelled shot gun belonging to witness was lying on the floor of the whare. A rope was fastened around the trigger the other end being tied to the bench. The cartridges were not witness's. Witness communicated with the police and Constable Cummings arrived. j He also found, a written note which he handed to the police. Deceased was keeping company with Olive Mill. He heard that she had shot herself the same day. He was satisfied that deceased committed suicide. He identified the body. Rope Around Trigger Constable Cummings stated that he received word from the previous witness and travelled to Waimana and found deeeaged lying on his back outside the door of a whare. He considered that death was instantaneous. Deceased had apparently stood outside that door of the whare, facing the gun, placed the gun hard up against his chest with the left hand and pulled the gun toward him with the right. The wound was a clean cut one. A note was found inside the door of the whare and was apparently written by deceased. He considered deceased committed suicide. Contemts of Note The following is the text of the note: "Death notice to all persons and tribes at Whakatane. Farewell you all. I am departing for that other land of our ancestors. As Riwa has shot herself in order that the blood of Tenaikoha may not be disgraced, so it is the case with me. Te Tahi Takao." Added was: "Mother take me to Matari Whakarae, Goodby all Takao family, Dice Steve, Nati. I'm a dog, dearest brothers and sisters. Father good-by, I am unable to live in this world. A kiss to all my loving girls."