SAMOA COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1931, Page 5

SAMOA COURT

CHARGE AGAINST NELSONS

(Australian Press Association)

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) APIA, January 27

Before chief judge Luxford in the High Court on Monday, Nelson Company Limited were charged under the maintenance of authority Native Affairs Ordinance 1928 with being is possession of £238 paid into the office on behalf of Samoa mens committee, said to be monies relating to a native organisation, not being of a religious or charitable nature, approved by the Administrator.

They were also charged with participating in activities by receiving monies on -behalf of the Man, and issuing receipts contrary to section three of the Seditious Organisation Ordinance 1930,

The Crown Prosecutor, Mr McCarthy, represented the police and Air Klunnuteller the defendant.

The police stated on the discovery of certain receipts, three police and the Government auditor, Mr Gair, on January 10th searched Nelson’s Apia office, where Gair examined the books of the company and took possession of two books and receipt books. From a ledger he extracted a list of payments to Nelsons,, the court action resulting.

The evidence of twelve Samoan prisoners undergoing sentences in connection with Mau matters admitted payments to Nelsons, declaring the same being debts due to the firm foi coffee and lava.

Some witnesses were unaware lot what purpose the money was collected. The auditor, Mr Gair, gave evidence that an examination of the hooks disclosed the moneys received in January and April 1929, were credited to the Samoan Village account, the balance being trasferred to 0. l r - Nelson > political expense account, of which a large sum was transferred to the Citizens Committee Account ) the balance of this account being transferred to Auckland. Other accounts in the hooks were Samoan Mau accounts and Samoan Ladies Committee Account. Further evidence of the police was produced in court but was not read, and photographic copies of nine private letters from Nelson, Auckland, to certain natives. The originals were discovered in Apia by the police search party on the steamer Tofua m July 28 last. . Mr Gair, to Kluninueller. said .Nelson’s books were kept in the ordinary way without subterfuge, disclosing the transactions easily. Proceeding.