DEATH OF MAORI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 708, 6 July 1929, Page 18

DEATH OF MAORI

TUBERCULOSIS DANGER CORONER WARNS NATIVES (Special to THE SUN} PAEROA, Friday. The attitude of some Maoris when medical aid was necessary was criticised by the coroner, Mr. F. Flatt, at an inquest today concerning the death of Mate Eriapa, 18, at Te Moanarui, pa. The girl’s father, Eriapa Te Koari, in evidence, said his daughter died on Tuesday night at 9 o’clock. She had been sick for all the week and had been unwell for four months, coughing most of the time fo.' the last month. She did not complain, except for a cough. She never asked for a doctor and objected when witness wished to call one. The reason witness did not call a doctor was because he was unftnancial and it was not on account of his religion. The coroner found that death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis. He expressed dissatisfaction with the number of cases of Maoris dying of tuberculosis in the various camps around Paeroa, pointing out the serious position in which other Maoris, especially children, were placed in regard to contact with contagious cases. He also pointed out that Maoris must in future report cases of this kind at once to the native nurse and the local police, so that medical attention could be provided immediately. The coroner also informed the Te Moananui tribe that he proposed to bring the serious position obtaining before his department, and stressed that it was the duty of the Maoris to endeavour to assist the Government and the authorities generally in preserving the health of the Maori race.