A FINAL FLING.
BEFORE HE PASSED OUT.
EXDS WITH HARD LABOUR.
(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMH/TON, this day.
An elderly Maori named Aupahi Henare Eoa, more commonly known, as "Johnny Martin" came up for sentence before Mr. Justice Herdman on a charge of wilfully causing mischief [by cutting down four electric poles, the property of the Central Electric Power Board erected on Peach. Grove Road, Gordonton. Prisoner declared that the poles were erected on land dedicated by the Government to his forefathers.
His Honor told accused that he lad no right to interfere with property in this way. It was not the first time that he had caused, such damage, and Maoris should understand that they must obey the laws just as the pakehas did. Had prisoner been a pakeha he would have sentenced him to a long term of imprisonment, but, being a Maori, and probably not understanding the position as he should, he would be sentenced to 12 months' hard labour.
Prisoner, as he left the dock, called out: "That is nice way to treat a man who is battling for the rights of his forefathers," giving as his excuse that he had not long to live, and wanted to have a fling before he passed off this earth.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19231207.2.57
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 292, 7 December 1923, Page 5
Word Count
210A FINAL FLING. Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 292, 7 December 1923, Page 5
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Auckland Star. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.
Log in