MAORIS’ MANY CRIMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 961, 2 May 1930, Page 1

MAORIS’ MANY CRIMES

ARSON, THEFT, BURGLARY DESTRUCTION OF HOUSE Press Association DARGAVILLE, Thursday. The hearing was concluded today of the charges against throe Mam. men, Peter Stewart, John Tewaaki and James Toko, and also Rebecca Stewart, wife of Peter Stewart. The charges included arson, theft, breaking and entering, and sheep stealing. The total value of the goods stolen and destroyed, including a house burnt, valued at £4OO, reached several hundreds of pounds. The accused pleaded guilty, and were remanded to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence. The natives lived at a settlement known as Wairere, on the West Coast Beach, and, according to their own evidence, and that of the police, *heir activities carried them over a wide range of sparsely-populated country. Most of the goods stolen were taken to the home of Peter Stewart. These were buried in a cave near the house and In holes in the ground about it, where they were discovered after diligent search by the police. The crimes have extended over a long period, and settlers are relieved and thankful that the police have been able to sheet home the charges to the perpetrators.

The house destroyed was one of four rooms, just furnished and about to be occupied by a newly-married couple. The loss is a particularly heavy one, as the house was not insured.