A SMART MAORI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 51, 28 February 1880, Page 1

A SMART MAORI.

(Auckland Hearld.') Thftt irrepressible patriot Sydney Taiwhanga, is again in trouble. Misfortune seems to follow his aspirations and efforts. The aucients had a saying tbat the gods wept at the spectacle of o good man struggling with adversity, and would have believed that copious showers fell from Olympus at the contrast between Sydney's lofty designs for the improvement of the two races, and the sight of him beiog threatened with Mount Eden by tbe remorseless Judge Macdonald for a paltry debt — incurred, too, in the servioe of humanity in general. Sydnoy was to unite the two raoes; to educate both in the principles of love and religion; and, moreover, he was ready to/die for Sir George Grey. But all his aspirations came to naught. , His first step (he being a widower) was, to get married to a white woman; but that didr not turn out very happily— in faot> Sydney, in that most important step, was a martyr to bis enthusiasm. Then he set up a school and boarding-house, but reports went abroad, no doubt eet on foot by designing persons who wanted to prevent the union and elevation of both races, that the sohool was a sham, and Ministers unfortunately lent an ear to these reports, and declined to advance the money which Sidney required. It could not be supposed that | a patriot of Sydney's purity oould descend to revenge, but somehow Sydney's opinion respecting Sir Ge forge ' Grey's Government changed euddenly just after the refusal of the money (wbioh was a mere coincidence) and

he went to Wellington with a petition against a supporter of Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, and gave out that he had come tb upset the Ministry 6f the man be was formerly willing to dib for* Sydney did not make muoh by hii Wellington trip, and the last scene of all is humiliating enough. Ho is brought tip. on a judgmbnt summons, . for a salary .to ■' $.. boy whom he hired to talk Engliah to his> Maori pupils, for part of ' his scheme was to teach the Maoris' English and for tbat purpose he resolved to fellow. Dr Johnson's recommendation, and, • * catch them youugi" Yesterday,, in Court, he said that. he,. promised to pay the boy's mother £30, and added "that is, that the Governmeht would pay it" Sydney, who is a Maori Blackstone considered as a commentator on the; English laws, appeared to bs examined as to tbe means he has, or has had, of satisfying a judgment against him by, Edward McLaughlin for £62. Tai* wbanga's excuse for not paying the debt and costs was that he expected' ,Mr Sheehan, the late Native Minister, would have paid it. He, together with 'his father and brother; mortgaged per-' tain land, which Wbb Bold in default of payment to the mortagee of either, principal or interest, and he expeoted that the Government would have given bim Borne assistance in this {matterbut the measure, extent, or^ nature of this, assistance he did not explain. The mortgagee holds money, tbe proceeds of the sale, which he expressed himself prepared to pay to Sydney Taiwhanga and his brother, who had obtained a succession order upon their father's death. Sydney's ehare of this fand would be at^leaat £25, a awl the Judge of the District Court suggested that Mr, Taiwhanga should give an' order for the payment of this money to the plaintiff's solicitor.,' To this the, defendant objeoted, because if he did so it would deprive him of hia claim on the Government, Or, as his Honor put it, take ifrom him tbe means of "worry ing" the Government. His Honor expUioed that, owing a just debt: to another person gave that..per r Bon a claim upon the, debtor's estate, and insisted and made the order/ pot withstanding. Sydney at first, like a true martyr, professed his desire 40 go to Mount Eien, bat subsequently' recanted, and the faUl'order was made. HK_-___H-_-nHBRO '