PECULIAR CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1929, Page 8

PECULIAR CASE

HOW A -MAORI WAS .MADE TO PAY.

AUCKLAND, May 27

Described a,s “The .Mayor of Yvliangape, without an election,” Frank Redo Carroll (..Mr Fraer), aged thirty, appeared on siimmAns af the I’olice Court this morning, charged with forcing a doeiiinent. This criminal charge was not proceeded with, a charge ol false .erefences being substituted. Chief detective Hammond said Carroll had been emn.oyed as manager for A. S. Andrews and Company's store at Wliangape. He was also pestmaster in ihe ..alive township. A Maori named Rod Iph, who owed tin store s.-me money, received a parcel, on the wrapper of which it was staled that he had £1 Ids 9d duty to pay. Carroll altered this sum to read £2 lOs fd to pay. The Alaori paid this sum. “My client was appointed by Andrews and Company to this God-for-saken place as sole manager,” said Air Fraer. “His instructions were at the time he took over that he was to reduce the book debts, which amounted to £2,0 0. Carrol! was manager ol (bo store, postmaster, CusCms officer, officer in charge of two harbours for ike Marine Department, and temporary Justice of the Peace. There are only a. few whites tesident-there; in fatt Carroll was Mayor of the town wi boat an elect? n. (Daughter) He .•(•fused to give any credit to Maoris and obtained such good results that in a few months be had reduced the m;ok debts by £UK). The Maori to whom, the parcel had been addressed came to Cainoll and Laid a bard luck st try. eventually getting credit for £1 10s. This .Maori afterwards bragged to others that lie had obtained credit from oanoli and said be would not pay. Tlii.i annoyed Carroll considerably.

“When the Maori called lor his parcel Carroll thought the time had come when he could got some of his own hack,” toncinued Air Fraer, “so he altered the Customs duty from £J I Its „il to £2 Ilfs 9d, and this the .Maori paid. It was a foolish piece of ■ bluff, which came off, but which had an aftermath. Carroll gained nothing by doing this. Fie has a large banking account of bis own, and the extra money obtained from the -Maori Van promptly credited to iiis firm’s account. There was no eriininal intent on Carroll’s part.” Counsel submitted that the charge should lie-reduced to one of falsi! pretences and dealt with summarily by -he Magistrate. Mr Hunt reduced the charge to one of false pretences, and Carroll pleaded guilty.

“In view of the fact that this man lias never lieen in trouble before, and hat lie bad excellent references from the Post and Telegraph Department and A. S. Andrews and Co. will yo-ur worship consider dismissing the chargi under .Section 92 of the Justices of the Peace Act and order the suppression of Carroll’s name?” asked counsel. “No, I cannot d i that,” replied the Magisrate. “but oil account ol his previous good character, and because In broke the law not for his own benefit but in order to help bis employers, I will discharge him witlvut .sentence under the Offenders Probabion Act. 1920.”