HEALTH OF NATIVES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1931, Page 2

HEALTH OF NATIVES

A FORBIDDEN TANGI. AUCKLAND July 13. The fact that Maori councils are taking an active interest in matters pertaining to the' health of Natives in their districts was emphasised in proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court at Te Kuiti, when the ManiapoTo Maori Council, Te Kuiti, took action for the recovery of a fine imposed upon a Native woman, Tarata Rewi Tana, for holding a hui or gathering under unsuitable'conditions. It was stated that the defendant and others had previously been warned that no meetings were to be held in a certain pa. because of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing, but the warning was disregarded, and the defendant incited some Maoris to gather for the purposes of a tangi. As a result of action by the Inspector of Health, the defendant was brought before the council and fined £lO. The present case was the result of an application for a rehearing before a Magistrate. Officers of the Maori Council, in giving evidence, stated that the case was a. serious one, and it was hoped that the line would act as a deterrent to others who might he tempted to hold gatherings irt premises for which no permission had been obtained. In the course of evidence it was stated that the good work of the connoil was in evidence at the local pa, where all buildings and sanitary arrangements were excellent. The Magistrate upheld the fine imposed by the council.