A BLOCK OF GREENSTONE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1915, Page 8

A BLOCK OF GREENSTONE.

MAORIS DISPUTE POSSESSION. Per Press Association. Auckland, January 21. Mr Cutten, S.M., gave judgment to-day at the Magistrate's Court in a case heard hefore Christmas, in which Henare Kaihau (Mr F. G. Massey) sued Mere Paora (Mr E. C. Blomfteld) for possession of' a block of greenstone, of the estimated value of £IOO, and also for £25 damages for

alleged wrongful detention of same. Interest centred in this case because the defendant presented the greenstone to Captain Halsey, of H.MS. New Zealand. When it was claimed' by Henare Kaihau, it was left in charge of the Mayor of Auckland, pending settlement of the dispute. Mr Cutten said the claim was for possession of a block of greenstone, weighing 1751b5., and apparently greatly prized. Plaintiff and defendant were, both Maoris of high rank. The mere had been in the possession of the defendant and her father for a great many years. It had been presented to another Maori chief, and ultimately returned at the time of the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to AuckMere Paora presented the block of greenstone to / Captain Halsey. Plaintiff then claimed the greenstone, and notice was given to Captain Halsey. It was then arranged to leave the greenstone in possession of the Mayor of Auckland. Mr Cutten added: "1 think it may be taken that no Maori of the rank of the.defendant would have risked a reflection upon the good name of the Maori race by presenting any article which did not belong to her. At most, therefore, the presentation must have been made under a misapprehension. In these circumstances it is very unfortunate that Captain Halsey was brought into the matter. One would have thought it more in accord with the traditions of the Maori race that a Maori of high rank would acquiesce in the presentation, even if a mistake had been made, rather than that ;i reflection should be cast upon the whole native race. It would, too, have accorded well with Maori sentiment that the greenstone should.-be with the battleship New Zealand while' she was doing her duty in the present war. However, if Kaihau considered that he had legal rights, he was uo doubt entitled to take steps to' enforce his rights." _ • ? His Worship then reviewed the evidence at some length, and concluded : "I am satisfied that the history of the stone given by the defendant is the true one, and that at the time of the presentation to Captain Halsey the stone was defendant's property. Judgment for defendant, with costs." Mr Blomfield remarked: "The stone will now be sent on to Captain Halsev."