WAR FUNDS ACTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 143, 16 June 1917, Page 8

WAR FUNDS ACTS.

COLLECTOR WITHOUT PERMIT MAORI CANVASSER FIXED. A tall, curly-headed Maori named Pukekawa I'aul appeared before Mr W G. Riddell. S.M., in the Magistrate* Court at Wellington on Thursday afternoon, and admitted a charge of soliciting contributions for a war fund when he was not a holder of a permit under section 22 of the War Funds Act, -1015. Chief-Detective Boddam explained that any person who collected war funds witheut a permit was liable to a fine of £■20. Pukekawa had been in Welling, ton some days, and had called on a num. ber of people, to ea-ch of whom .hi handed the following circular:— "NATIVE WAR RELIEF BOARD. '•' Orakei, Auckland, 1017, '"Dear Sir,—Owing to the decrease of the natives in the Pacific during the war ■who were drafted on various occasions it has become a matter of great urgency that the. needy dependents of those who have fallen and ii ■ ilitled soldiers should receive some ; consideration. '.\ Native Board i k mil favouring to raise sufficient funds in order to carry out this proposal, but are unable to obtahi the amount required from the native people. You are, therefore, earn, estly requested to make a reasonable contribution in aid of the purpose above named. All donations will be publicly acknowledged. "Wβ hereby certify the donation! given are for the purpose named. " N. Rua, chairman and treasurer. " 0. Paora, vice-chairman. " X. Paul, secretary. "X. Hira, vice-secretary, And six other members." Inquiries had been made by the police, and when Deteetive-Sergt. Rawle had spoken to Pukekawa, he admitted that he did not posEess the necessary permit. " There is no doubt that a breach of the Act was committed," remarked Sir. Boddam. "We do not know who tho three other men are in Auckland; in , fact, the whole thing might be a I swindle." j Mr. C. Parata, M.P., who acted ac interpreter, said he knew defendant well. He had met him when questions relative to lands had come before Parliament. Mr. Boddam: I also know something about accused. In October of 1914, at Auckland, he vras sentenced for Tigi rancy. He went around collecting funds for a native church. He collected about I JCiOO. The Bench: Did he csrve any sentence? Mr. Boddam: Three months. The Magistrate remarked that there was no doubt Pukokawa had committed a breach of the Act. " Ask him," said his Worship to Mr. Parata, "if he knew he was committing an offence." Mr. Parata: He says he is not wel{ versed in these things. His Worship: Tell him he is liable to a fine of £20. When Pukekawa heard this translated in his native tongue, he looked very glum. The Magistrate said that in view of the fact that Paul had been previously concerned in a similar offence, he must impose some penalty, although ,ifc would not foe a severe one. He would ask the interpreter to let Pukekawa know.this. Pukekawii's reply to the interpretation was "tliat it was true that he lost the other case, but he had also lost money." The Magistrate said that the whole of the information before the Court was not very complete. The penalty would be a nominal one. A fine of 40/ would be imposed, and Pukekawe ordered to Pay the interpreter's fee. £1 1/, in default seven days' imprisonment. Pukekawa asked through his interpreter for time to pay, and when the Bench intimated that he would be giTen eeven Hays. Pukekawa's face lit up with a grateful smile. He bowed and murmured "Tank you."