INFLUENZA AND TOHUNGAISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA AND TOHUNGAISM.

CHARGE AGAINST A NATIVE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. A sequel to the influenza at Tcreinga Pah was heard at the Magistrate's Court when the matum of the pah was charged with an attempt to mislead the natives by pretending to possess supernatural powers for the treatment and cure of the disease. Witnesses gave evidence regarding the prayers by the accused. Constable Maloney put in a signed statement by accused, in which he said: "I am a tohungn. Ido not cure by medicine, but just drive taipo or the Devil out of the body. I drive evil spirits from sick people by rubbing a hand on the bad place, and the badness goes away. I knew sickness was going to break out. There is another fever coming." The magistrate said that accused must have known he was talking nonsense. Accused was warned, convicted and ordered to pay the costs— £l7 8s 3d. The magistrate declined to allow the expenses of the native witnesses, whose evidence conflicted with the statements of the police, holding that they were not entitled to consideration. He asked the press to give publicity to this point, so that others disposed to act similarly might understand the position of the bench in such cases.