Maoris Present Post-mortem.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7892, 7 August 1905, Page 2

Maoris Present Post-mortem.

o—— An Extraordinary Scene. The Inquest Perforce Adjourned. (Per Press. Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 6. A Maori named Nia Hare, who lived atßarotonga, and was staying temporarily at the Maori settlement at Orakei, was found dead in his whare. For the last two years he had been engaged in fruit-growing in Karotonga. Deatto was extremely sudden, as he had apparently been in good • health, and under the circumstances an inquiry became necessary. The Cproner proceeded to Orakei this morning to conduct an inquiry, accompanied by Dr. Peter filoir, whom he directed to make a post mortem examination. The corpse was laid out in a tent, and a number of Maoris were around it. Before the medical man commenced ;his examination Wie Coroner requested the natives to withdraw, but they refused. Several women were amongst tirerri, and Constable Shearman was directed to remove these by force. There was no active resistance on the part of any of the natives, but.as the constable would put one woman outside the tent, several mere entered from the other side.

A very extraordinary scene was witnessed, several of the wahiiies throwing themselves on the body in order to stop the doctor making an incision with his scalpel, and as the' natives crowded around it was impossible to proceed with the post mortem. The Coroner, therefore, decided to take evidence ol identification, ami also put on record the doctor's description of the manner in which he had 'been obstructed. The enquiry- was then adjourned. The Coroner has applied for a posse of police to enable a post mortem to he made.