MAORI MAID MARTHA.

NZ Truth, Issue 127, 23 November 1907, Page 6

MAORI MAID MARTHA.

declared an Habitual Criminal

r Maori Maid Martha Tainui, ; the <ftueeu of the false pretences push', was . before the Supreme Court at Christ Ichurch; Mis week to show cause why she shouldn't be deemed an habitual (Offender. Martha had. been sent, up ifrom the lower Court, which thought fthat she was going it a bit too strong. . The girl asked the judge for niercy, but. she didn't get it, as -she didn't deserve it. In answer to a

question she said she didn't exactly know her correct age. However, ;, . it .was apparent that she had cramaied a lot of crime into a few years. On 87 occasions she had been before the :sC*ourt for theft, forgery, and false pretences— mostly, the -latter. His S3onor

. ALLUDED TO THIS STRIKING • RECORD, and thought; thai; he could only -do rirhat was the best to do tot' herself -as s well as for the rest of the^.cipmohunity. The only way to deal* with ,tier- was to semi ■ her to a prison reformatory after she had ' finished . thepresent sentence. Her career showed ibhat clemency would he thrown ajway ; as soon as she "Was released ■*rom Saol she took the opportunity ifto commit another crime of dishoni^sty, and- were she released now 1 :she (Would probably do the same thins aSo miserable Martha will have .to remain a long iim^ under an . official roof, and will have to take; to singing as a recreation to con.yincethe authorities that she has reformed before she will be able » to feveathe the free air of liberty again.