A LUCKY MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 255, 28 October 1929, Page 3

A LUCKY MAORI.

GAVE £50 TO STRANGER.

THEN FORGOT ABOUT IT.

MONEY RETURNED TO-DAY,

After giving five £10 notes to a stranger to mind for him on August 15 last, and then forgetting all about his £50 the next morning, Maimoa Toatana, a Maori busliman, who was traced by the police, received his money this morning. It was fortunate for the Maori that the man to whom he entrusted the £50 was an honest person, otherwise he might not have seen it again. Mr. Harry J. Marks, an ex-constable, met the Maori in a restaurant in Victoria Street about 4 p.m. on August 15. Toatana had a considerable sum or money on him, and produced a roll of bank notes at the table where he was enjoying a meal. Some time later, in Queen Street, Mr. Marks, who was with a friend, met the Maori, and suggested to him that he should go home and place his money in a safe place. The Maori, who had some liquor in him at the time, refused to go home, and asked Mr. Marks to mind £50 for him. Although not anxious to accept the money, Mr. Marks was persuaded to take it. He arranged with the Maori to meet him the following morning at 9.30 at John Court's corner. The three men afterwards went to a picture show, where Toatana fell asleep. Before the programme had concluded he left the theatre and went home. Mr. Marks kept his appointment the next day, but the Maori did not. After looking up and down Queen Street for the man, Mr. Marks failed to find him, so he handed the roll of notes to the central police. He did not know the Maori's name, but remembered that the bushman said he came from somewhere near Raglan.

Both Mr. Marks and the police advertised for the Maori on several occasions, but there was no reply. No one claimed the money, and the police made inquiries in the Raglan district without result. All the police had to go upon was a description of the Maori given by Mr. Marks. Inquiries were made by the police at the office of the Native Land Court, when il was found that a Maori named Maimoa Toatana had been paid the sum of £193 on August 15. This man was seen by the police, and when asked whether he had given £50 to a stranger to mind for him he could not remember. He thought ho had lost the money, and had never mentioned a word to anybody about the matter afterwards.

On Saturday the Maori came to Auckland, at the suggestion of the police, and this morning he met Mr. Marks at the office of Mr. J. W. Hollis, Inspector of Police. The Maori identified Mr. Marks and the ex-constable recognised Toatana, so the money was handed over to the Maori. He was very grateful, and naturally pleased, and made a substantial gift to Mr. Marks.