CRUDE MAORI FRAUD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1516, 12 August 1912, Page 2

CRUDE MAORI FRAUD.

TRIED ON NATIVE LAND BOARD. (Dy Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August 9. An interesting prosecution was heard before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at tho Police Court this afternoon, and concluded to-night, when Noka Ilukanui, an elderly Maori, was charged that ho counselled and procured his son, Moumou, to impersonate Paopao Patena, another N<itivo, with intent to defraud the WaikatoManiapoto District Native Land Board of tlie sum of i 9 Is. 7d. His son Monmou, was also charged with fraudulently obtaining the 6iim named. Tho Native Paopao was one of the bene; ficiaries in connection with a piece of land known as the Whakatakatalsa Block. Hukanui was cognisant of this fact, and hit upon tho. expedient of persuading his son Moumou to impersonate Patena. He accordingly took Moumou, who was not a very willing party to tho scheme, to tho offico of tho Laud Board and here ho introduced Moumou as Paopao Patena. The imposition, however, did not deceive tho clerk at the office, and the two Natives thereupon went away, to subsequently return with a man named Frederick Appleyard. This man also deposed that Moumou was Paopao Patena, one of tho beneficiaries in connection with tho Ayhakatalcataka Block. There was still some doubt as to whether Patena had attained his majority, and once more tho two Natives left the office empty handed. Somo days Inter, however, they returned with a birth certificate, which put beyond doubt any dispute arising in that connection. A sum of .£9 Is. 7d. was handed over, and the signature of Paopao Patena attached and vouched for by Moumou. Tho fraud was eventually discovered, and on inquiries being set on foot, tho amount was refunded by Hukanui. Both of the. accused admitted the charges, and were accordingly committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed in each instance in ono personal bond of dCIOO and one surety of .£25.

■ Frederick Appleyard, who was alleged to have been nil accomplice of the two accused Natives, was charged with abetting; them. He pleaded not, guilty, and was committed for trial. ~ •'