HONESTY OF THE NATIVES.
A week or two ago a native named Utuha, while walking along the Parnell road, discovered a purse, containing a bill of exchange, and 4s. in silver. As he proceeded, a basket attracted his notice, and supposing it to be the property of a shop close by, he handed it to the person in attendance. From subsequent enquiry it was ascertained that the basket & purse had been claimed by the same individual. The unknown native therefore was charged with robbery,it being assumed that the purse had been taken out of the basket, prior to its delivery at the shop in question. In justice to utuha we think it right to observe, that the young girl who was entrusted with the document for the purpose of getting it cashed at the Bank, could
give no proper account of herself, all slie knew was, that her basket by some accident had been overturned. In the mean time, the native disclosed the secret to his friends, and it was agreed that the matter, forthwith should be made known to the Native Secretary. Of course the natives imagined that the intrinsic value of the paper was £SO. The party in whose favour the Bill of Exchange was drawn being a widow lady, the Interpreter took the trouble to wait on her accompanied by a friend of Utuha's. After mutual explanations the purse was returned to its rightful owner, who offered as a reward the sum of 10s. Honesty is, a quality so commendable, that we thought a sovereign little enough, and suggested that amount being given to Utuha, but the persons more immediately concerned, it would appear, think very differently.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MMTKM18550301.2.65
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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 43
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280HONESTY OF THE NATIVES. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 43
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