ELECTRIC POWER POLES CUT DOWN.

Shannon News, 18 December 1923, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER POLES CUT DOWN.

< - MAORI GOES TO GAOL. HAMILTON, Dec' 9.. " An elderly Maori named Aupahi Henare Roa, more comonly known as "Johnny Martin," came; up for sentence before Mr Justice Herdman on a charge of wilfully causing mischief by cutting down four electric poles, tine property of the Central Electric Power Board erected on Peach Grove road, Gordonton. Prisoner declared; that the poles were erected on land dedicated by the Governmemt to his forefathers. His Honour told accused that he had no right to interfere with property in this way. It was not the first time tihat he had caused such damage, and Maoris should understand, that they must obey the laws just as the pakehas did. Had prisoner rbeen a pakeha hie would have sentenced him to a long term of imprisonment, but, being a Maori, and probably not understanding the position as he should, he would be sentenced to 12 months' hard labour.

Prisoner, as lie left the dock, called out: "That is a nice way to treat a in an who is battling for the rights of his forefathers, rt giving as his excuse that he had not long to live, and wanted to have a fling before he passed off this earth.