MAORIS IS COURT.

Manawatu Herald, 4 February 1879, Page 2

MAORIS IS COURT.

Although the Maoris are fo id of litigation, they like the genuino article, and not amateur judges of their cases. A few days ajjo, in t he assault case Hipirini v. Sltearer, the nativei evincol con-ddorable imterest, and tin? Curb was CrownVl. . D*urin£ the hearing, whilst the evidence vfu being interpreted by Mr Biker, that worthy gentleman's coat- tails were, gently pulled by a dusky matron, who wa3 squit behind him. The judicial functionary Cobbed down, and the toahiile was seen pointing with a fierce expression to a carpet-bag siie neld in her hand, and in the side of which could be seen a neatly-repaired rent. Bat just then a re nark from the Bench culL-d the Clerk to the full perpendicular, and the bag was lost sight of. Aloantitne, a request for witnesses brought into the box Meri, an old squaw of some fifty summers, who had a head of hair curly as a mop, and a nose as puar, and fat aid plump as could be found in a day's march. Her face glowed with rapture at her own importance a3 she surveyed the Court hnrrie Uy, and seeing the Bible outstretched she at o.ice ducked her head at it and smacked her lips violently about 9 inches away fro.n the book. " Taihoa !" said the interpreter, who started to administer tho oath, but again, in direct violation of all precedent, the old laJy ducked her head at the Bible, and got this time three or four inches nearer At last she took it in h-tr hand,the interpreter hold the other end tightly,und tho o itli having been administered, a rousing bus echoed through the court. Her evidunce was given in an excite 1 manner. At one moment her her voice refunded loudly through the building, and the next instant was modoratai to a whisper. But now a further change was presented. No sooner had Meri retired, than another matron, tremendously-corpu-lent, plunged into the box, but as she knew almost nothing of the case, she had to retire crest-faiLui. Then a feeble old tangata, with a fiery eye, whipped into tho box, and being ask his name replied " Tao." " Taou ? " said t!iO Clerk '• Aye, Ta— o " said the old fellow, with emohasis, to the evident amusement of the "pit," who laughed loudly. Upon questioning him, it appeared that he knew nothing whatever of the affair, but had seen the parlies that day. He wa3 sent bank to the common herd. Having heard enough, however, tho Dench gave a decision, that the accused was finod £ii and costs, and tho Court began to clear ; murmurs of dissent being freely exchanged by the native*, who thought the man had got off too lightly, when Ihakara, the ranr/atira, strutted to the front, with his insignia of office, a stick with feathers on end, and boldly addressing tho Court in Maori, affirmed his opinion that the man was not punished enough. " You are not , competent to decide this matter," he said. " Oue is a surveyor, and the other a doctor. What cin sou know about law ?" and he fumed and flustered about. Then came the clerk's turn ; for up walked the Maori wahine who had the bag, and upbraided that gentleman for not lettiug her produce it against tho prisoner. It appeared in a rago he had cut it with an axe, and she brought it as a mute witness that, ho was a man with a violent temper, and should bo accordingly punished. But yet another native came forward, and ho said,'' My daughter used to live with this man, but since lie beat Hipirini wo made her leave him, and we wo»t let her go back to him. But I am afraid now, he will come and beat me." His adviser gave him little comfort, " When he threatens you, come and lay an information," said the Clerk. "Oh but by that lima my head will ba punched!" practically remarked the native. Seeing no relief could be gained, he heaved a big sigh, thought of the anticipated pommeling, and left. It certainly was an oxpensive blow, when, in addition to being fined £6, tho striker lost his better half.