AHIPARA.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 77, 4 March 1882, Page 394

AHIPARA.

Scene in Mangonui Court. — Plaintiff : " I object to defendant taking his place on the Bench as J.P. during the hearing of this case." The J.P. (already seated) : " I am doing no harm liere ; I like the place, and I am just filling it." The objection being pressed, the irate J.P., in a loud, indignant voice, is heard to exclaim, " It is well for you indeed, sir, that I am not a witness in this case !"

Not long ago a trader at Ahipara, very fond of lawsuits, with a great opinion of himself, though he graduated m a fishing -boat-, received one day, to Ms great delight, an official-looking letter, requesting him to allow his name to be added to the list of J.P.s for the Colony. The household rejoiced, the neighbours were treated, while the new J.P. strutted about and declared that now some of the settlers should have law — the other J.P.s were not to have their own way, and the Clerk of the Court should be most deferential. But alas for bis disappointment I It transpired, after a week of festivity, that the apparently official letter was a cruel lioax, and "that place on the Bench" is not mentioned now.

One evening after the Petty Sessions the Clerk of the Coxirt was seated with an acquaintance in the Ahipara Hotel, and they were discussing the events of the day. Presently a tall Maori with a solemn air entered, and, scrutinizing the features of the two Europeans for a few minutes as he took a place opposite to them, he began abruptly, "K., I have something to say." "Well, what is it ?" " I had a fair and lovely sister. She loved with all the ardour of her young, untried affections. She confided her happiness to a deluder, and shortly after their nuptials he left her. Now, gentlemen, if you have tears, prepare to shed them ! She returned to me broken-hearted, and I said, " Crushed sister, come to my sheltering roof ! While I have a pig or a potato, you shall share them with me. Now," he exclaimed with a burst of indignation, " I want to know if thirty or forty horses cannot be taken from the deceiver as a compensation for the injury to my beloved sister ?" The Europeans were much affected by the recital of these wrongs. " Can there be fine or punishment too severe for such a heartless scoundrel ?" they said. At length K. inquired, "Who is his sister ?" "I don't know," replied the other, " I never saw him before." " She is here, X.," said the Maori, " waiting to be introduced to your presence." The now deeply interested twain were anxiously watching the door as the native moved towards it, expecting to see a beautiful brown damsel entering, with eyes suffused in tears, when, to their utter astonishment, the most notorious character of the settlement — a most unprepossessing female, with a mouth like a horse — entered. She wore a modest look, her glance was directed downwards, and a childlike smile spread over her features. "Oh, carry me out! it's the Airaingia, alias Messalina, alias Magdalen— l say, X., one of the greatest rips in the place !" Lest she should be overcome by any deep feelings during the recital of her woes, her devoted brother furnished her with a glass of rum, which she immediately tossed off, while that bland and placid smile increased. K. and his companion immediately withdrew.