The Guileless Maori and His Lawyer.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 1

The Guileless Maori and His Lawyer.

As instance of how the guileless Maori manages to get through his patrimonial estates has just come to light. A native chiet porno time aao sold a large tract of land, receiving from the purchaser (an Auckland lawyer of good repute) part payment, and an undertaking to'pay the balance at the end of two years. The thriftless Maori soon exhausted^ the substantial sum of money he had received, and applied for the balance long before ib was due. Being informed that the purchaser proforred not to pay the money till it was due, the chief then employed an opposition lawyer to negotiate for the payment of the balance in advance, authorising him to grant a reduction of i'lso as consideration for tho accommodation. It is allegtd that these negotiation* were completed, and the m >ney liandod over to the chief's lawyer — the purchaser cf the land receiving the title deeds In exchange. But by means of various excuses the chief's financial agent delayed handing ov r the money' to hi 3 principal, until proceedings had to be threatened to compel him to disgorge. At this juncture the law j or, who held the money suddenly left Auckland for Sydney, and the simple Manri chief began to suspect that ho had been swindled. Inhumation of the circumstances was accordingly laid with Supt. Thomeon by the chief's agent in town, but that gentleman declined to take proceedings for ihe arrest of the- lawyer unless the usual gaarautee of expenses was made, and without an information being laid by the chief inperson. The Maori has not yet made up his mind whethor he ought to throw away good money in the attempt to stay the pilgrim's progress, but a-? it may prove after all that tho lawyer has merely gone for a summer holiday, it is prob-ible that he wiM be allowed to enjoy ife in peace.

To titk PubliTC— l, the Gnd«Mi{jned, do thil flay make the following stntement, in hopes that other? lunu £one through a similar affliction may pro Hi thereby :— For many inontha have I lu'on sick ; so had that life was a burden. The mental depression ami physical ptostration wore oomi»ihin£ lliar cannot be described. Doctors and patent medicines I h.ivo tried without any relief, but f> ot ting woi se all tho time. As a forlorn hope I called on I>P. Specr, Pahnorston Buildings, Qncen-street. He examined me, ana without uskincr a question, grtivo mo every symptom I had. Said ho would treat mo. From tho m-at teaspoonful of his medicine I felt relief, and have boon constantly {jettt^ij^j better eyer hi nee. Words cannot express myi gratitude Tho above statement ■ I "ninke *■ vt'ithout any soliciution. and I am willing? toVetify the sama before a J.P.— ltespoctfully yours, I\. AdaMBo« Charlotto-streot, Edon TfM'aoe.