OYSTER POACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 13

OYSTER POACHERS.

THREE MAORI GIRLS.

QUAINT EXCUSE .GIVEN.

"FOOD or OUR ANCESTORS."

Brought to Ae Police Court on summon* this morning to answer a charge of poaching oysters at Maraetai on June ft. and to be prosecuted by the Superintendent of Marine, three bashful Maori girls answered,* series of questions by the magistrate through an interpreter. Prosecuting for the informant, Mr. R. Meredith, of the Crown Solicitor'* Office, stated that an inspector found the three defendants, each armed with a hammer, taking oysters from the beds at Maraetai on June 9. They had two xmall cans and a sack half filled with oysters when they were accosted.

"These particular oyster bed* were well stocked for the markets," said Mr. Meredith. "Much poaching has been going on and there has been a scarcity of oysters for the markets. The Department is anxioiw that the beds should be conserved. However, these defendants are Maori*, and I suppose their offence should be construed in a different light from Europeans." The Magistrate (to the interpreter): Ask them if they knew that it was an offence to pick oysters. "We knew the food was food our ancestors ate, and we kept on eating the food our ancestors ate." said the interpreter. "That is what they tell me. sir." (Laughter.) "But there are a lot of other things their ancestors ate that they do not now eat." said Mr. Orr Walker. The Interpreter: They say, sir, that they still eat the same foods as their ancestors." . _ Liable to £i 0 rise.

-1 don't think so," replied the magistrate. "You are all liable to a fine of £10 for this. How can you pay this fine if I impose it? Will you get some more oysters to pay it?" —No, we will not ta"ke any more oysters. How will you three pay the fine. Have you "husbands? The interpreter: They say Fanny has a husband, but he has only just started to work. Polly and RascOiel have none. Have they got sweethearts? —No they have no sweethearts. (Laughter.) The magistrate ordered each to pay the costs, 17/. Then he remembered that there were costs of the Crown Solicitor to be met. "Mr. Meredith has to be paid," said Mr. Orr Walker. "Is there any way of selling the oysters ? Mr. Meredith: I'm afraid not, sir. They never get past the Marine Department. (Laughter.) In addition each of the defendants was ordered to pay 10/« costs of the Crown.