Trouble Experienced; Prosecuting Maoris

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 92, 6 September 1950, Page 7

Trouble Experienced; Prosecuting Maoris

Difficulty in having prosecutions effected against Maoris through the requirement that all such prosecutions had to be translated into Maori language, was reported to the monthly meeting of the Tauranga County Council by the Noxious Weeds Inspector, Mr S. J. McKenzie, in his monthly report. He suggested that representations in appropriate quarters might result in the removal of the translation requirements.

In his report the inspector stated that during the past three months straying stock had caused considerable trouble in the county. In three weeks, 61 straying animals were accounted for but a number of prosecutions had been held up chiefly throgh the necessity of translation into Maori language.

“When I speak to Maori owners of straying stock the ensuing conversation is always in English,” continued Mr M&Kenzre. A possible exception might arise in the case of a few elderly individuals, but it was unlikely that today any Maori would require a translation.

The council decided to make representations to the Counties’ Association, by means of a remit, with a view to the association using its efforts to have deleted the translation requirement in Maori prosecutions.