MAORI SLANDER CASE.
JUDGE KETTLE ADVOCATES RUNANGAS.
URGES THAT MAORI CUSTOMS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
By Telegraph—Press Association. Hawora, last night.
At the District Court yesterday a Maori slander case was heard. One Native accused another of breaking into a house and stealing therefrom. A runanga was held, which decided that accused was guilty, and ho was ordered to pay £SO. This he refused to do, and brought an action in tho European Court. Judge Kettle held that statemsnts at the runanga were privileged, and he found for tho defendant.
The Judge said that if the Natives were not allowed to hold these runangas and conduct their cases in their own way it would causo great trouble. It was foolish for Parliament to interfere with the Maori’s old customs in these respects, as the Natives generally arrived at a very good conclusion. He added that the Maori methods should be encouraged, so as to keep them out of Court and costs, but in serious cases they should put the matter in the hands of the police.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 184, 12 August 1901, Page 2
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175MAORI SLANDER CASE. Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 184, 12 August 1901, Page 2
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