BETTER THAN GAOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 55, 6 March 1925, Page 7

BETTER THAN GAOL.

MAORI CHOOSES BANKRUPTCY WHERE HIS MONEY WENT. CONTESTED AJS T ELECTION. AND CAME IN THIRD. (By Teiegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Amusement was caused to-day when Tama Kawe, a native of Te Kuiti, apy.'.pd for release from bankrupt-y. Debt." said he tiled because a judgmeut summoii. " - as issued against him for £76 and that a man of his standing could not possibly go lo gaol, so therefore, claimed the protection of the law and laid himself and his property in the hands of the assignee. Mr. Justice Herdman: "I see. As assurance of your respectability 3'ou mention that you were a candidate for ths Western Maori electorate and were defeated by Sir Maui Pomare himself. Y--u must have had heaps of money if you stood for Parliament. (Laughter.) Mr. Morton said that out of eleven candidates bankrupt came third on the poll. Mr. Vernon (in opposition): You didn't even pay a dividend. (Laughter.) Mr. Vernon: You go to race meetings? Bankrupt: Oh, somtimes I go to Auckland for a little fly round, just fjr a bit of a holiday, you know. His Honor: How much does it cost you to go to Auckland ? —Oh, I can us.ially do it for a tenner quite nicely. (Laughter.) Mr. Vernon said bankrupt was determined not to pay the balance of this particular debt of £55. His Honor (to bankrupt): You spei'.d the money on races and stand for Parliament. Bankrupt: That is what I got the money for, in order to stand for Parliament. It includes £40 for taxi fares. (Loud laughter.) The further hearing of the application was adjourned for gix months.