A MAORI SCARE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2958, 30 June 1891, Page 2

A MAORI SCARE.

A Maoki scare is reported to have taken place at Matamata a few days tsinco. About three months ago a representative of a lirir of sewing machine manufacturers during a visit to that district took an order from a Maori for a machine, getting at the name time the usual advance payment of one pound, and promising to forward the machine in the course of a week' or ten days. Over a mouth passed and no machine arrived, and the Maori naturally thought the matter required further enquiry. The machine man on his next visit to the district was consequently waited upon by the native, and in answer to his questions, the agent promised to have the machine up in the course of a week. The machine, however, did not come to hand, and the Maori had to endure the heart-sick faintneas of hope deferred for another season before lie again came across the agent. This time the latter oppressed regret for the delay, but said it would certainly be up by that day's train. Then he left the neighbourhood, and trie Maori repaired to the railway station, only to be again disappointed. The Maori who befoie had been almost certain that the pakeha was trying to best him, now became absolutely sure of it, and resolved to tak« immediate action to recover his money. Knowing the road the asent had taken, he made a detour for the purpose of intercepting him, and took up a position to await his arrival. He soon espied the gentlemau he sought cantering towards him, and when the unsuspecting traveller came up with linn lie rushed from the side of the road and seized his horso's head by the bridle. The fierce looks of the Maori and his hostile attitude completely discomfited the inacliino man, and sent what little heart ho possessed down to his heels. The locality was a lonely one, no help was a 5 hand, and tho agent thought his last hour was nigh. With his eyes in frenzy rolling and gesticulating wildly, the Maori in forcible language told tiio agent his opinion of him, and wound up by demanding the return of his pound, accompanying his request with a threat to jam his head where his heart already was—into his boots. Tho agent, to prevent dire consequences, was quick to hand over the money; but the Maori intended to have complete satisfaction, and made a further demand for ten shillings for interest. The agent, by this time, had recovered himself a little, aud made some derrur, but the Maori was determined, aud threatened to convert tho traveller into sewing machine jelly if he did not hand over the interest. The machine man, with tears iu his voice, begged that the interest demanded —_00 per cent, per annum—might be reduced to something more reasonable, say 100 per cent. ; he had only five shillings on him, and he would gladly hand this over if allowed to depart iu peace -and not in pieces. The Maori, after considering awhile, agreed to accept this, and after giving him a little advice as to his future dealings with the Maori people, let tho miserable man go. The scared agent lost no time iu departing, glad to think his carcase was not left to freeze and blister amongst the ti-treo in tho wilds of Matamata.