MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

THE KING’S COURT.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Before we came to New Zealand the Maori knew nothing of theft. His first lesson came from the sailors and whalers. Land and food were for all. there was no equivalent for money. The scant clothing lasted a lifetime, and was seldom discarded. Like evety new indulgence, this acquisition grew apace, and with our scorn of the restraining influence of “tapu,” even included the hitherto sacred law of marital relationship. Having no police force, the Maori King's magistrates found it difficult to enforce their decrees. Yet when the runanga confirmed the judgment of a Maori magistrate, the culprit was a marked man until he paid the standard penalty, which was £5 for every offence. Under the influence of Wiremu Tamihana at Maungatautari, there were no complaints against the local Maoris. Bishop Selwyn asked if it would be safe to leave his luggage on the roadside for a few hours. A Maori replied: “Oh, yes. No one steals here now—some are afraid of your God, some of Wiremu Tamihana’s fivepound fine.” At Whataroa, beyond Hangatiki, Reihana had organised the best system of law and order. He had a force of 80 young ladies whose uniforms were paid for by the fines. If the penalties were not paid within two days, they were increased by 2s per day. If the Maori King’s Council had been recognised as it should have been, their good judgment would have averted the wars of the 60’s, and given us a mutual understanding.