SUING THE MAORI “KING.”

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 September 1901, Page 4

SUING THE MAORI “KING.”

The Unpaid Expenses of his Suite. (PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, September 4, Mr Brabant, S.M., took the evidence on commission of Mahuta, the “Maori King,” and Mr Sinclair, in connection with the case before the Wellington Court in which George Bodley claims £lB2 10s from Mahuta for tho board and lodging of bis followers during their visit to Wellington in September and October last, when over fifty natives visited Wellington at the invitation of the Government in connection with the Maori Land Council’s Act, the Government paying their expenses. Tho account of Bodley was for £lB2 10s, in addition to £4ll paid by the Government, and he claimed tho additional £lB2 10s from Mahuta. For the defence, Mahuta stated ha had not authorised the expenditure. Examined by Mr Earl, he stated that some natives of his party had stayed at Bodloy’s Hotel, the Government invited the defendant to go to Wellington and bring his followers. Tho Government stated it would pay all expenses to and from Wellington, and board and lodging. Mr Sinclair and the others sent the members of his party to Bodley’s, and ho had not been consulted in the matter. Mr Sinclair stated that ho and Mr Honare Kaihau, M.H.R., made arrangements for tho men to stay at Bodley’s stating that tho Native Minister would pay the board. Tho Government refused to pay tho whole of Bod:oy’s account, and thought it excessive. Mahuta had nothing to do with the arrangements. ’’ The depositions wore forwarded to Wellington, where a decision will be given.