INQUEST AT SHANNON.

Shannon News, 27 July 1923, Page 2

INQUEST AT SHANNON.

DEATH OF A MAORI GIRL. An inquest was held at Shannon on Tuesday morning before. Mr Alf. Fraser, coroner, concerning the deiath of a Maori girl named Fanny' Parekaha- *' kaha Keriama, aged 14 years, who died at Moutoa on Monday morning as the result of bums received at the Poutu Pah, Moutoa, on May 28th last. From the evidence it was stated that on the evening of May 28th the • deceased left the. whare to go to smother nearby to get some sugar. She •. took matches with her and on entering the whare! lit one and laid it cn • a shelf. There was an bpen tin of* kerosene on the shelf which she pish- „ ed on one side to enable her to ’ get • • the sugar and in doing so~ some of the kerosene was spilt over her Mouse. She started to take off her blouse and it came; in contact with the lighted match, setting the blouse on fire. She drew the blouse on. and’ rushed cutside screaming. The other natives were attracted by. her screams, and, on going to her assistance found her clothes in flames. They were immediately torn off her, but not before she had become badly burned about the. abdomen,, chest, . neck, arms and ’ - hands. She had since been attended by the natives at the pah and appeared to be progressing favourably. . . On Sunday evening, however, she had '' a bad turn, and on Monday morning, . after having breakfast she called her | mother and said “Good bye,” expit- ' ing shortly (after. , _• The verdict of the Coroner* was that

deceased di'ed on July 23rd at. thePoutu Pah, as a result of bums reeldentally received on May 28th, 1923.