“The Maori never had any idea of distances from the pakeha viewpoint,” said Mr C. T. Newton, native interpreter, giving evidence in the Supreme Court in Auckland. "He never had a set idea of miles or chains or anything like that. He remembered his distances solely by the natural features." In answer to Mr Justice Fair, the witness said the Maori did not use any measure of distance like a stone's throw or a spear's throw, .but they would sometimes speak of the two arms outstretched to represent about 6ft. The Maori had no idea of an acre, he added.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 4
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100Untitled Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 4
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