IS A HALF-CASTE A MAORI OR A EUROPEAN?

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1857, 31 May 1884, Page 2

IS A HALF-CASTE A MAORI OR A EUROPEAN ?

In the R.M. Court, Cambridge, yesterday, a somewhat important discussion took place in reference to the meaning of the word " halt- caste" as used in the Resident Magistrates Act, 1867. One Onepu Tairi sued .fames Ransfield, a half caste, for damages for detention of a horse, and the value of the same, making a sum of £76 los. This horse was sold by Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. under the authority of the Sheriff some time back, when a seizure was made on the Ptikekura and Puahoe properties. Mr Hay appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Campbell for the defence. The latter pointed out that by section 109 oi The Resident Magistrates Act, J867, assessors must be associated with the magistrate before he could adjudicate upon the case, as both persons were of the native race. Mr Hay contended that the Resident Magistrate and a justice could hear the cisc under Section 111, as one of the parties must be deemed to be a European. Tina raised the question as to whether Ransfield was, nnriiT the interpretation clause of the Act, a Maoii ora Europ'an. After eonsulei able discussion it was decided by the ivatsUtr.ite thatasß.m="(k'id, though having a thorough knowledge of English, w.is at present and had been for some time past, residing amongst the Maoris, hw must bo considered a native. The case itself, which is one of great impoi tance, ns being <i test case, it was agi ocd by consent should be heard on Fnday, June 20th.