MAORI CIVIL DEBT CLAIM.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2437, 16 April 1915, Page 3

MAORI CIVIL DEBT CLAIM.

WITNESS OFFERS TO PAY THE CLAIM. (By Telegraph— Press Association.) Auokland, April o. An Interesting civil case throwing light upon Maori ideas was partly heard in the Rotorua Magistrate's Court, before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M. Neil Buchanan, proprietor of the Wai : wera Stables, sued Heketai Te Kani l'ere, of Gisborne, to recover the sum of £147 Bs. for the hire of motor-cars and other vehicles used by or for the latter difring his campaign as a candidate for tho Eastern Maori seat at the last General Election. Mr. Carter appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Hampson for the defendant. Evidence • was given showing that the items of the account had been incurred partly by the defendant himself, and partly by two Maoris—Tait© To Tomo and Tauhu Kingi—who were among his prominent supporters. It was stated that the defendant had promised to give a cTieque for the largest item, £61 for an East Coast trip. Tauhu Kingi was one of the witnesses for the plaintiff, and did not appear to relish his position. An aged Maori, Kepa Waaka, of Okere, who was then called for the plaintiff, mode an earnest appeal for the case to be stopped. In proof of his sincerity, the offered to pay the claim and costs himself. He explained that tlie defendant was a man of such exalted rank that it was beneath his dignity to be brought into Court, and that other Natives concerned fell that 'if would be a reflection on them if judgment were given against him. The old man's offer gave rise to some discussion between counsel, who were fully convinced of his willingness to pay", but doubted his ability to do so. Waaka, however, ; protested that he could find the money if allowed a month's time, and filially it was agreed to give him a chance to carry out his promise. The case was therefore adjourned sine die, with the understanding that it could be brought on agi!?n at any time on giving fourteen days' notice.