MAORI FINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 160, 15 May 1940, Page 4

MAORI FINED

OBSCENE LANGUAGE CHARGE INCIDENT AT TE TEKO Eruera Rewiti, known as Ned Davies, of Te Teko, pleaded guilty to a charge of using obscene language within hearing of persons in a public place when he appeared before Messrs W. Sullivan and G. A. Brabant, Justices of the Peace, in the Police Court yesterday. He cV.cted to be dealt with summarily . Sergeant M. Farrell, prosecuting, said that at 5.20 a.m. on May 4, ac-> cused had gone to Glen's Store ak Te Teko and demanded goods on credit. Mrs Glen had refused and defendant had then used the language complained of. Accused was one of the men causing trouble in Te Teko and complaints had been received from both Maoris and Pakehas. A number of people had been attracted by the language used by defendant. "I explained to Mr Fuller all about it," said Rewiti. "I walked into the store and asked for the goods. I wanted a pair of shoes for my little girL who was starting school next day. Mrs Glen refused." Accused then made an involved explanation of a double-banking of bills from the store. "That's got nothing to do with it" said the Bench. "What I said was only between her and me," continued accused. "There was only one other in the store. I have a good job and if I have to go to gaol I will lose it." "You'll just have to behave yourself a bit better, that's all," observed the Bench. "You will be fined £5, to be paid forthwith, in default 14 days' imprisonment." Costs amounted to £1 9s.