LOVERS TAKE POISON.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1920, Page 7

LOVERS TAKE POISON.

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. FORBIDDEN MAORI MATCH. At the Te Kuiti Magistrate's Court a Maori youth, aged If) years, named Htikiaka Te Kanawa, and a native girl of 18, Hainei Moe Pua, were conjointly charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking rabbit poison. It was stated that the accused resided m the Hangatiki district, and wore keeping company. They wished to marry. In spite of her age, the girl was aunt io the boy. Owing to this blood relationship the parents objected to the proposed marriage. On October 30, after milking cows the accused wrote, "Farewell, goodbye," on the wall of the cowshed, using soot from the engine exhaust, and signing both their names. Taking a tin of rabbit poison the two disappeared into the bush. They swallowed the poison. About five 'o'clock their relatives became alarmed, and a search was made without success. The accused returned home later in the eveing in a weak condition, and suffering great pain. Medical aid was summoned from Te Kuiti, and the accused were removed to a private hospital, where they made a satisfactory recovery. The accused pleaded guilt v. The magistrate, Mr. E. W. Burton, said the offence was a serious one! The youth of the accused gave them an excuse tor a light penalty. .He convicted them and ordered them to appear for sentence when called upon, on condition that they did not see each other again. An order was made for the pavment of costs incurred, including £6 Ms Od medical expenses.