“NOTHIN’ DOING.”

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 259, 31 July 1925, Page 5

“NOTHIN’ DOING.”

NO WORK IN PUKEKOHE.

A MAORI RIGHT OUT OF IT.

There is absolutely nothin’ doing’ in the way of work in Pukekohe.” deciared a judgment debtor, a native who, could speak English fluently, at the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning, before Mr W. R. McKean,

“Nothing doing?” asked the Magistrate.

“Nothing at all: I’m right out of it.” was the amusing reply. “When will you be right in ? ” questioned the Magistrate. “I dunno; I hope it will be soon,” retorted the native. “Do you owe this debt?” asked Mr McKeap. “Yes, I owe him orright,” replied the judgment debtor. “Well, why don’t you pay?” was the Magistrate’s next query. After a moment’s hesitation the defendant said: “Well, it’s like this., I can’t get work ” “Where are you living' at present?” interjected Mr McKean. “I’m living in Pukekohe,” was the answer. “What’s wrong with Pukekohe?” asked the Magistrate. “I dunno, but there’s no work here; at least I can’t find it. I’ve asked several people, but as I said before, there’s nothin’ doing,” remarked defendant. “What is your occupation ’’.was the next question. “I’ve been labouring,” came the rel^Y-

“Labouring-—labouring at .what?” inquired the Magistrate “Oh, just odd jobs,” wits the reply. too,” said counsel (Mr F. A. Hosking) for judgment oreditofc amid..; laughter, but ’ the anticipate d,-question: “Shearing who?” was not forthcoming.

“Some Urgent Accounts."

“I would have had money to pay this account,” said defendant, in reply to a question by counsel, “but I’ve bad several very urgent accounts to square up.”

"Very urgent?” asked Mr McKean. “Too right!” ejaculated the native. “Were they more urgent than this one?” asked Mr McKean.

“Yes,” was the reply, but beyond this the Magistrate could not extort any further information, and Sergeant J. T. Cowan gave the particulars sought and it transpired that debtor had been before the court recently, and fined for several offences, and these were the “urgent accounts” he had to square up. “How much do you offer to pay?” asked counsel.

“Ten bob a month,” said defendant. “I think you ought to exert yourself to a greater extent'than that,” said the Magistrate.

‘.‘Well, I’ve been out.:,of work since April, and I’ve been struggling along as fine as possible, living on what a neighbour gives' me in return for a little work I do on his place. The neighbour is unable to pay me because he is hard up.” : “Well, I think you will have to pay something,” remarked the Magistrate. “I will make an order for the payment of 10s a week. Now don’t mistake week for month,” was the Magistrate’s final remark. Defendant, wearing a broad grin, stepped from the box, and his happy expression gave the indication that inhad caught the Magistrate in a good mood, and was lucky at not being sent on.