The Native and the Dog Tax.

Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1894, Page 2

The Native and the Dog Tax.

» ■ ■ - Last night a little stir was caused in the minds of the inhabitants by the appearance of a second guardian of the peace. We are accußtomed to be left without one, but are not accustomed to having " police men." " What is up ?" was the cry. Had the new Licensing Committee been getting into trouble so early in their career? We are aware that that fund of knowledge on all licensing matters, great and small, the chairman of the old Licensing Committee has an idea (quite a novelty) that " some one has blundered," and that one member has not been duly elected. Was it possible that he had invoked the strong arm of the law to summarily i-jpot him ? It was not so, but something much more useful, viz , the proper display of force to secure the directions of the law being obeyed. In November last a native liviag at Poroutawhao named Taiawbio wa= fined 5s and costs 14s 'or having negl -cted to register a dog. The gentleman imagined that these were words and nothing but words, and n-?gleced to comply or pay. A warrant was i3su< d by the Magistrate for payment of the amount, with further costs, or* imprisonment for seven days. Cinaiab'e Giilespie was determined that there should be no hitch in hU arrangements, and to provide for any contingencies he secured the assistance of ano: her constable, who arrived last night, the cause of many surmises. I At the early hour of half-past three this morning, the attacking party with Mr George Gray, left Foxton for the residence of the transgressor, which they reached about fis'e. Enquiries were instituted at various whares for Taiawhio, but it was curious how many explanations were given for his ab-ence. One houa-ho'd thought he had gone away ; another that, he was not there ; another he had left to catch a horse, and so on. Tniawhio it was evident was not sleeping comfonab y in hi* b d, or any one else'a He appeared to hay« be--1 corns invisible, but, m luck would hava it,

one of the party on a rise noticed an elderly female much interested in a potatohou:'e, seeming to be addressing a word to the " spuus." A nod is quite as good as a wink, an'l Constable Gilleppie became much interested in what that pit contained ; he went to the door, it was fastened; he knocked and no one replied j he applied his foot with ranch force, but the door i-e- a mained as it was. Curious what precautions had been taken to secure "potatoes." The constable then applied a key, which did not fit, but imagining it did a voice from within called out to stop, and the door wtiukl be opened; In a few midutes <tt^--* came the much sought after Taiawhlo',~a ~N< big powerful native, who had imagined that the penalty of roosting on potatoes would have secured him from the penalty of the law. He was informed that a trifle for non-compliance with the orders of the Court had risen to £3 7s which must be paid, or he would have to accompany the police to the nearest gaol. The native made a proc?ssion round the village endeavouring to raise the money but was met T»ith the general cry of hard times and no * money, and that it served him right. He became convinced that to gaol he must go and obtained permission to array himself in glorious apparel. When dressed a lucky thought struck him " Ask Tamihana," he did and though it was with reluctance it was done, the good old man on account of ! the other's wife, advanced the sum . I The attacking for<!e then retired ftntt came back to Foxton with colours flying. Though it all sounds very amusing, and the force, now, appears to have been greater than was necessary, yet, knowing how the natives up North have banded together to resist this pakeha iniquity, it waß very right to proceed in such a way that there should be no chance of the law being set at defiance. We hold that the settlers on the coast have much to be thankful for in these decided steps being taken, as the Maori dog nuisance is a great and expensive one, in which even the transgressor, Taiawhio, will agree with after to-day's I experience.