SETTLING A DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, 10 August 1882, Page 3

SETTLING A DIFFICULTY.

That "possesesskm "|was not always "nine points of the law " in the early days of Port! Nicholson the following story will testify: —j A number of Maoris induced Judge Halewel to get them a small schooner built by a loca shipwright, and when completed the boat was handed over to her ewnen ; but a considerable portion of the contract price was still unpaid. The builder appealed to the Judge, his employer, for payment. Having disbursed all the funds belonging to the Natives, Mr Halswell declined to pay, and referred the builder back to the Maoris. Recourse was then had to the law. But here another difficulty presented itself. The only available property of the Maori debtors was the schooner, and this the legal adviser of the builder advised him to seize. A favourable opportunity occurring, this was done while the vessel was anchored off Pipitea Point and all her crew ashore. The builder having made the seizure, placed a man in possession as shipkeeper, and went away satisfied that he had some prospect of getting the balance due to him. Not so, however. Hardly an hour had elapsed before the dusky owners became aware of the usurpation, and six canoes immediately put off to the vessel. Finding only one pakeha aboard they proceeded to assert their claim in a most peremptory manner. Two of the Natives seized the man's feet and one his head, and then deliberately threw him overboard. Fortunately the man could swim, and he reached the shore safely. But the unfortunate shipbuilder had to postpone further attempts to recover the vessel until fate was more propitious. —New Zealand Times.