WILD NIGHT IN PA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 433, 15 August 1928, Page 1

WILD NIGHT IN PA

PAKEHA BRINGS WHISKY ON PACK-HORSE WEDDING CELEBRATION The story of a wild night in a Maori pa was told at the Police Court by Detective-Sergeant Kelly this morning, when Thomas Henry Maurdaunt Barry was charged with supplying whisky to Maoris >n a prohibited area. ! The sergeant said that Barry had j heard that there was a Maori wed--1 ding to be held at Otuwliaremamaia. i near Opotiki. and had thought it a | chance to make money. “He wont to J the Opotiki Hotel and bought two cases of whisky, which he carted 43 miles to the pa. the last 12 miles by-pack-horse. He arrived there at 11 p.m., while a dance was in progress. By 3 o'clock in the morning there were fights all over the pa. and one of the Maoris got a kick in the head. Later, however, he decided that his sore head was due to the after-effects of his over-indulgence in alcohol. Both men and women took part in the orgy, and Barry was seen selling a bottle of whisky to a Maori for £l. “It Is one of those unfortunate cases when a man like this takes advantage of native weakness,” the sergeant concluded. Barry was at present serving one month for false pretences and seven days for stowing away on the Kaiwarra. “So you thought you had found an easy way to make money?” said Mr. W. R. McKean. S.M. sir,” replied the prisoner. ‘ I never sold the whisky, though I plead guilty to supplying it.” Mr. Kelly: The charge is one cf supplying, not selling. This man was seen pouring whisky into cups for the Maoris. A fine of £25, in default 21 davs, was imposed.