MAORI’S OFFENCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 2

MAORI’S OFFENCES

SERIOUS COAST CRIME GIRL TOLD HER UNCLE ACCUSED FOR SENTENCE A - 24-year-old Maori labourer, Matere Taua, alias George Taua, aged 24, appeared this week before Messrs. V. G. H. Rickard and M. Gudgeon, J.Ps., in the Tikitiki Police Court and was remanded to the Wellington Supreme Court for sentence. There were two charges against the accused of committing serious offences against a girl aged between 12 and 16 years. The prosecution was conducted by Constable N. H. Tuck. In evidence the girl said she lived at Rangitukia, and when her parents came to. Gisborne on November 4 she was left at home with her brothers. After her brothers had gone to the pictures she answered a knock on the door and saw the accused, to whom she had spoken only once previously. She said that he discussed matrimony with her, and on that account she later consented to his advances. The following night he returned and the offence was repeated. She had not complained to her mother because the accused tola her that he would be hanged if she did that. However, on December 2 the witness told her uncle because she was worried over what had happened, and that day was questioned by her mother. -The mother of the previous witness said her daughter was a good girl and had never caused her any trouble or worry. The girl had never shown any. inclination to associate with men or boys, but was very childish in her ways, and was easily led. The step-father of the girl said he had been present when the girl made certain admissions to her mother. On December 3 at a meeting of friends and relatives the accused admitted that all the girl said was true. Dr. E. C. Grant gave evidence of his findings as a result Of his examination of the girl.

Constable Tuck, Tikitiki, told of his interview with the accused, and produced a statement that had been made by Tuau admitting the allegations. The accused pleaded guilty to the charges, and was committed for sentence.