THE MAORI DEBTOR

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 May 1916, Page 3

THE MAORI DEBTOR

(Opunake Times.) Lust court day a number oi Muoti.s were examined as to their means to satisly the magis>t-ra.te why an order .should or .should not be made against the,m for payment oi debt. There is no more wily witness than a Maori in a judgment case andi it is a diflicujt tJiing lor a solicitor tor a creditor to prove in a court of law that a Maori owns anything. The communal interests are always strong, the brother, sister or cousin owns all the creditor is after. The tollwwing is a general statein :iitof examinations

"Joe Edwards! Joe JSdwajds!" cries , the clerk of the court. "Here! shouted very loudly the said Joo Edwards, who, on going into the box asked in very good English 'or an interpreter. A young native, on being asked to interpret, remarked "he can speak English all right," which later on he showed he was conversant with, as he at times forestalled the interpreter with the answer. Examining solicitor saidi: ''Your name is Joe Edwards? and vou are a labourer?'' "Yes," replied the witness, adding "hard labour." "Why?" Because I don't see ny How much work Uavo yon done lately?" "No worJi."

to do?" "Hare you got any cows or horses P" "No; my 'wife owns them" "How much money have you earned since the date of the order?" "Don't know; I keep no account." "How many long beers have you had in a day?" "I only hare on« long shandy, and after that I don t remember." "Do you smokeP" "Yes." "How much fobaoco do you smoke irn a week?" "I TTse a stick a week. If hard labour, 1 smoke a stick in four days." "Where do you get the money ■'or the beer?" "I don't par tor the beer; the other fellow shout me." "The same old yarn in the same >ld way," remarked) the lawyer. "Yon don't work at all, thenP" "Yes, I work, but 1 have to huy the tucker." "What do you work at?" "H*rd labour when I see it. No man tsk me for some day*." 'Die Magistrate: "'Have von got- »my children?" The Maori: " Five children ; eld°st 21 years." So order was made, and the Alaori politely bowed out of court.