RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1254, 13 July 1880, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Accidental Death. Our Raglan correspondent writing last Friday says: — Since my last report to you of the accident which took place here on the Friday ; the native Rihia to Ririkotahi who was burnt, had a fit of paralysis which lasted until he breathed his last yesterday at 1 p.m. after a very severe and painful though short illness. He was a man that was very much respected, and had lived with Rev Mr Schnackenberg for over thirty years. An inquest will be held to-day of which I will send you all particulars next mail.

The Inquest. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 6th July, an inquest was held at Nihi Nihi the residence of the Rev. C. H. Schnackenberg on the body of a native chief, named Rihia te Ririkotahi. The following Jury were empanelled :— W. H. Wallis Esq., Coroner, C. H. Savage (foreman), George Moon, Jno. Robson, Charlton, Samuel Alexander McGillory, George Mood, Edward Lewis, Edward Frissel, Allen Gilmour, Charles Gilmour, Richard Galvan, Robert Loane, and T. Mitchell. The Jury having been duly sworn, the following witnesses were called. Annie Jane Schnackenberg, stated :— " I am the wife of Cort Henry Schnackenberg, a Wesleyan minister. I have seen the body laying in the outhouse, and recognise it as the body of Rihia te Ririkotahi. He died in the house where he now lies at 1pm. yesterday, the 6th inst. He died from the effects of a fit which seized him on Wednesday evening, the 30th June. Prior to that he appeared to be in good health. I have never heard him make any complaints previously. When the fit seized him he fell on the ground, but his words were unintelligible. I dragged or helped him up to the house where he now lies. He seemed to recover after I got him into the house, and shook hands, and when I wanted him to go to bed he made towards the fireplace and wanted to warm himself. I remained with him till half-past 7 p.m. I went again to see him at 8, and again at 10 ; he was still crouching near the fire. I dragged the mattress in front of the fire, and told him he had better go to bed. He said, " No ; I must warm myself." When I went to see him after daybreak, I found his head on the bricks near the fire. On Thursday morning I went to the native village to get assistance, and when they arrived I and a native woman washed his head. I do not think he was conscious then. Later in the day I asked him where the pain was, and he put his hand to his head. He remained in a semi-conscious state most of Thursday ; but appeared to be more conscious on Friday. He has never since risen from his bed. I asked him on Friday if he would get better; he replied, " Yes." He died at 1 p.m. on Monday ; I was present. I am of opinion he died from the effects of the fit. He asked for no food except water till Sunday, when he asked for milk, and took whatever food I gave him. He died very quietly. He was about 60 years old. Kerehoura te Wharetotara, having been sworn, stated :—": — " I live at Mita Karakas house. I have seen the body laying in the outhouse. I recognise it as the body Rihia te Ririkotahi. He was laying in the house where he now is. I was present at his death. I have not known him a year, but since I have been in Raglan. It is the first time I have seen this sort of sickness on him. I was not present when he fell into the fire. Samuel Vercoe, having beeen sworn on his oath, stated : — I am a settler residing at Karioi. I was coming to town last Thursday morning, 1st July, a native called Manahi, told me that Rihia had fell in the fire. I came across to the Mission Station to look at him. The man was alive. I have seen the body of a native lying in the outhouse, and recognise it as the body of Rihia. I do not know his native name. I saw him again on Friday. He was then still alive. I knew this native for about 16 years, and never, to my knowledge has he had fits. I saw him last alive on last Friday. I was not present at his death. William Powell, having been sworn, stated : I am a storekeeper, residing in Raglan. On the 1st of July I heard from Mr Loane that Rihia had fallen in the fire and injured himself very much. I recommended him to apply lime-water and oil to the injured parts. On the 2nd I went, in company with Mr Philp, to the Mission Station, and saw him where he was lying. I found him partially comatose, the hair of the head was burnt off, and the skin was very dry and hard ; his excrement and urine passed away involuntarily, and I judged from his general appearance he could not live very long. I spoke to him, but he did not answer ; but when violently shaken he answered one of the natives that he had no pain at the time. I have seen the body as it now lies, and recognised it as the body of Rihia. I was not present at his death, have not seen him since Saturday. I believe his death was caused by the injuries received by falling into the fire, while in a state of paralysis. The left side was paralysed. In my opinion the immediate cause of death was from falling into the fire. The upper portion of the eyelids were burnt.

VERDICT. The jury having retired for about 10 minutes returned with the following verdict: — ''That we are of opinion that the death of Rihia te Ririkotahi was caused by a paralytic fit, accelerated by injuries received from a fall in a fire, while in a lethargic state."