AN INDEFENSIBLE PROCEEDING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1118, 5 October 1883, Page 3

AN INDEFENSIBLE PROCEEDING.

The following telegram from Patea, dated 14th August., appears in the Lyttelton Times : - A case was heard to-day in the Resident Magistrate’s Court under the following circumstances :—On tbe morning of Aiuns S;.h a bailiff proceeded with a distress warrant to Pakaraka (a Native village 24 miles south of here, but out of the Patea magisterial district) against two Mamas—\Vaim Te Angina aud Mohi Tapcpa—lor a debt of £4O due to W iliams Brothers, ot Patea. On arriving the bailiff appointed the two plaintiffs his assistants, broke down the fences, and began to sell all the cattle, buggies, etc., they conM lay their hands on, irrespective of ownership. The plaintiffs were the only buyers, and bought about L 250 worth of Native prop-r.y tor 1,30—a buggy L 9, horses Ln, dray L 4 The sale wis advertised for the township of Waitotara, but was held at the Native village. The .Maoris protested and refuse to give possession. Williams therefore brought an action for obstructing the bailitt, but a policeman who accompanied the bailiff said there was no breaen of tbe peace. In cross-examination Williams admitted tlie sale was a farce. The bailiff hesitated, and in reply to the Bench, said lie considered the Maori property common, and that lie had a right to seize anything in the village. The Magistrate declined to hear the defence, reprimanded tlie bailiff for improper and irregular conduct, and commended the Maoris fm their forbearance. Ho concurred in counsel’s remark that it was a wonder there was no bloodshed, and said the case required further investigation.