MAORI CUSTOMS.

Patea Mail, 17 May 1881, Page 3

MAORI CUSTOMS.

The Auckland Herald says —A party of Thames natives, numbering close on a hundred, on their way to the King’s meeting, arrived at Cambridge on Monday from Tamahere, where they had passed the previous night. On arrival they commenced a taua against Harry Simmons, a half-caste, on the ground that he had violently assaulted his wife, who is a member of the Ngatimaru tribe. They commenced proceedings by demanding that the woman be handed back to them. The Ngatiraukawa tribe, with whom Simmons is associated, declined to offer any opinion on the matter for a long time, but eventually the lady wont over to the people. The Ngatiraukawa then made suitable presents to the opposite party, who expressed their entire satisfaction, the final settlement of the difficulty being left with Mrs Simmons, who was allowed the option of remaining with her people or returning to her husband.

TARARUA evidence. Dunedin, Monday. A remarkable statement was made at the inquiry to-day, by the manager of the Union Company. He said that the captain has asked that the chief officer be changed, having reported against his conduct; and it had been decided that a change should be made on the steamer’s return from Melbourne. The steamer ran ashore on the outward voyage, the chief officer having just been relieved by the captain.