"A TALE OP A TUB."

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 85, 18 June 1880, Page 2

"A TALE OP A TUB."

Although at certain times and on certain occasions a tub is a very useful nrticle of furniture ib a house) a^ill it is not generally held in very' high estimation. THe above remarks, however, would not apply to two members of the tub species respecting the ownership of which the Resident Magistrate of the district on Wednesday last found himself called upon to decide. The case arose this way : — An iron tub belonging to a native named Wiremu Matakatia, by some means which was not made quite clear at the hearing of the case, found its way to tho back of a Maori lady's wJiare llamed Roreta IWhai. Hdreta then claimed the tub as her property, and said that another tub similar to the disputed one, but much more used, was, the plaintiff's proporty. This Wiremu would not accept, aud hence the action. The case was of course heard in Maori, and Mr Baker acted as interpreter. During the hearing, the tubs were frequently handled about, — at one time being hurled almost at the head of a witness, at another time resting quietly at the back of the box, and at another lying aide by side on the Court table. When Roreta's husband saw that the case was going again3t his wife, he asked to be allowed to conduct it for her, which was granted. Whf-n this wily old fellow was ajked for his description of the mai ks on t!i9 two tubs, he produced from his pocket two slips of paper, on one of which was written an exact copy of the piivate maik of the house from which the tub had been purchased. On the otli9r paper was copied the trade mark of the other tub, which was stamped just under the rim. He evi.lentiy' thought this was a " trump card," but after a most patient hearing, Mr Ward gave judgment in favor of plaintiff, who thereby obtained the new tub. The judgment caused much disgust to the defeated party, and Roreta and the wife of the plaintiff partially stripped for a set-to outside the Court house, when they were separated by their friend*. The owner of the tub judiciously wnite.l a little time in tho Court before he came out with it, and when ho did a lady partizan of the defeated womnn was gesticulating violently, and evidently contemplated carrying off the article in question by a violent coup d'etat, when Constable M'Anulty approached her from behind, and lifting her blanket up, and dropping it completely over her head and mouth, " shut " her up in the most complete manner, and marched her a few yards down the street. The natives then separated. The disputant h reside at Horowhenuo, and the cost* "f the oi*e amounted to 2ls.