PUKU THE TONGAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 115, 14 May 1920, Page 2

PUKU THE TONGAN.

CHARMED WITH HEW ZEAEAKD BUT THE LAW SHOWS HIM THE DOOR. . A Tongan named Jofiah Puku-muli, who came to New Zealand some tiroe back, failed to negotiate the hurdle-which is set up to test the alien, but he evidently likad the look of the land, and by somemeaaa or other IMS smuggled himself ashore and made fdr the "tall timber." The fact that Pnku had not returned to the summer isles in the craft which brought him to New Zealand was not discovered until recently, and by* that time he could have travelled many milee.

Information reached the police, h>w«ver, that an I»__hder of Puku's sjfainp was engaged in "buahwhacking" either in the" Waikato or in the country whicli occupies that corner opposite Ponui Island the steamersjhave to turn when on the way to the Thames and Paeroa. Although it is only a few hours from Auckland it is unfamiliar ground to thousands of people, and the road .which.leads from Cleyedon comes to a dead-end at OreTe Point. From there the only way down the Thames Firth is along the" beach, strewn with rocks as big as a man's head. It was decided to have a look first at the dusky person ea{_ to have taken sanctuary in this quiet corner, and yesterday Detective Gourley and a Custom- official went down by launch. As the landing was reported bad near the spot they were making for, it was decided to" put into another hay. After a shower bath, the dinghy landed the searchers safely, and they made for a •'hustiies'" camp over the hilte; report having pointed to it as a likely covert. By four p.m., after a strenuous tramp, the last stages through heavy bueh, they found themselves on top of a ridge that was bounded by standing timber on all aidea, hut there -was nothing like a Tongan on the horizon.

Doubling on their tracks, they hunted about -for a camp said to be'in the vicinity, and just at dusk located it. It was too far to go back and the track was bad enough in the day time without hunting for it in the dark. They decided to wait, and failing the return of anyone to the camp, they would have to pass a hungry night. Soon after sunset a man strolled in, and by one of those fortunate occurrences which do n.t always favour those who have writs and things to serve, it proved to he Puku.

Gathering up his clothes and a dirty handkerchief containing a few pounds, which he had well-hidden in the fern under his bed, Puku made no demur about going back to Auckland, and ottered to lead the way, although he was not too sure of it himself. After a long and weary tramp, brightened by a much-needed meal at a roadmen's camp —given with the proverbial hospitality of bushmen and their kind—and diversified by a couple of spills (one of which was from a steed lent by the skipper of the party's launch, who" got anxious at their long absence, and went in search) the men of la w and their island friend reached the beach once more, and eventually got back to Auckland in the small hour, of this morning. Puku canie before the S_l. at the Police Court yesterday, and was ordered to be returned to his island home. Puku was also ordered to pay the expense., which should be a light matter, ac he has been clearing many acres at a remunerative figlire.