MAORI FINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 29, 16 March 1942, Page 5

MAORI FINED

ECHO OF TE TEKO BRAWL ux su cc: i-:s sfu l blu kf

Pleading ignorance of the charges brought against him, asserting that he had been falsely accused, yet admitting that it was the first time he had been in trouble and asking for leniency, an elderly Maori, Pai Hou. was fined £4 10s and costs £3 7s for threatening behaviour at the Te Teko Hotel on Saturday, February 28. Defendant, whose ease had been adjourned l'rom the day lie fore in order to provide liijn with the -services of an interpreter, appeared lieCore Messrs G. A. Brabant and .T. G. Mulholland, J's.P., in tlie-Wlia-katane Court last Friday morning. Mr A. O. Stewart acted as interpreter. From the dock, prisoner declared that lie knew nothing of the trouble and could only surmise that some person had brought a false charge against him. A witness, Henri Pa~ tangata, said that Pai Hau, was the worse for liquor, and had interfered with a relative of his (witness) in the bar. Witness had accosted him and a fight had ensued. There were many people present and if Pai Hau denied it was to try and keep himself out of trouble. Sergeant M. Farrell related how defendant had hidden from him all day when lie went out to Te Teko to serve the summons. Finally Avhen he did discover him, he had argued on a technicality of the charge, pointing out that the fight had taken place in the hotel, and not on the road, as lie alleged the cliargc stated. It, was obvious, said witness, that he knew all about the fight and was hedging now in order to mislead the court. Defendant still denied all knowledge, sticking fast to his story that the charge had been concocted. At the same time, through the interpreter he asked for leniency, declaring that he was getting on in years and did not understand court procedure. In imposing the fine, the Bench said that it was obvious that the defendant was guilty, and had endeavoured to be a little smart in demanding the services of ah interpreter, when he had a good working knowledge of English. He Mould have to pay extra for the service and deserved to do so.