A MAORI HUI.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17989, 5 February 1924, Page 5

A MAORI HUI.

UNSETTLED ACCOUNT. ] MATTER BEFORE MAGISTRATE. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., Francis Clark, 12 Cooper road, Christchurch, electrical engineer (Mr W. R. Lascelles) proceeded against H. W. Uru, 26 Rhodes street, Wellington, Member of Parliament; To Hau Korako, Woodcnd, farmer; John Topi Patuki, Bluff, Member of the Legislative Council; Harawhra, farmer; J. Croeombe, labourer; H. Rupeno, farmer; Vv. T. Pitarua, native agent; W. D. Barrett, native agent; and Hape Uru, storekeeper, all of Tuahiwi, tor the sum of alto) 10s for temporary electric lighting for tents erected for tho Waipounamu Hui, Tuahiwi, installed, at the defendants' request during August, 1922. Mr GL A. G. Connal appeared for H. W. TJru, Mr A. F. Wright for Patuki, and Mr J. K. Moloney for Harawhira, Croeombe, RupenOj Pitama, Barrett, and Hape Uru. In the afternoon Mr L. L. HitcEings appeared in place of Mr Wright. Mr Lascelles said that the case arose out of the big Hui held at Tuahiwi in August, 1922, when there was a large gathering of natives from all over the South Island. The gathering was held with the object of settling some large land claims that the Maoris had. The Maoris had also taken the opportunity of having a general good time. They had had their fun, but no one had paid tho piper. Plaintiff had put the electric light in the tents which covered some acres. The Hui was like an agricultural show in dimensions. The action had originally been brought against H. W. .TJru, but with the object of protecting himself he had had the other eight defendants joined so that there would be nine of them to face the debt.

Francis Clark, electrical engineer, said that in 1922 he carried out an electrical contract at the Town Hall at Tuahiwi. A Hni was held there at tho same time, and he put in extra lighting: in tho tents in connexion with tho celebrations. He also kept a certificated man there during the Hni. The only payment lie had received was £5 on account. After payment had been demanded from Hape TJru for four months, Mrs Uru said that the account should be sent to tho Finance Committed".

Hap© Urn: Did yon not ask me for tho job?— No. Did I nob tell yon I liad another man to do the thing?—No, that's the iir3t I've hoard of that. Hape TTru said all tho arrangements for tho Kui were- left in his hands. He i thought tTiat tho committee was re- | sponsible for tho lighting. In answer to tho Magistrate ho said thero were 50 or 60 people on the committee. All the defendants were on the general committee which gave authority for the lights to be put up. The work was satisfactory. _ Mr Dascelles: Why is it the committee won't pay this debt?—Tho committee is a bit short of finance. Do you admit that the committee should pay it?— Yes. Mr Connal-. As a matter or fact thero aire other amounts owing by this committee aren't there?—Oh, yes, quit© a lot; about £l5O. Mr Connal said that bo far as Harry Urn was concerned he had admitted that tho work was carried out. - Barrett, in the box, stated that he and Pitama were members of the committee up to a month before the celebrations. They had a row and Mr Uru formed a committee on his own. The defendant Pitama said that Barrett and he were never party to the authorising of any expenditure. They were "outed" from the committee by Mr TJru. H. W. Uru, in evrdence, said "that he had sent out the invitations to tho people to attend the Hui. He was .wiping to contribute his share towards the account. The invitation was as follows: — This is an invitation from us to you all to assemble at Tuahiwi, Kaiapoi, on August Ist, 1922, at 10.30 a.m. Tht, subjects for consideration of which you are herewith invited to attend, are as follows:—• . (1) The claim by Ngitahu and Ngatimano. , (2) The intention of the Native Trustee to explain certain (schemes for advancing money to tho Maori people (a) the Native Trustee wishes to ascertain from the owners, men, women, and children, their view respecting the proposal by Europeans to purchase their interest in Mawliera and other lands under his administration; (b) also to deal with other matters that may be brought before tho Native Trustee. (3) Those men, women, and children who had signed tho covenant by \V. T. Itatana, which covenant had been presented at the different settlements for signature, are respectfully invited to attend for confirmation by the representative W. T. Ratana, who will attend in person to tho matter. ('4) As North Islanders are expected to favour us with their attendance, it is considered our duty, as South Islanders to invite in body and concentrate all' our efforts hero to entertain our guests tho Aotea-Boas. (5) Tho opening of the Public Hall at Tuahiwi will take place on August 3rd, 1922. and you all are earnestly invited to be present at such opening function. On thai day there vnH bo in attendance the Hon. J G. Ooates OSative Minister), W. E. Eawsoa, Esq. (Native Trustee), Archbishop Julius, and "W. T. Ratana. Sufficient from your faithful friends—Hon. John Topi Patuki, M.L.C.; Henaro Whakatau TJru, M.P..; John Tehau Korako, chairman committee; Hape TJru, hon., secretarv of committee dealing with South Island meeting. In every case notify number forming party. John Topi Patuki, MJL.Ci, said ho did not know lie was on the general committee. He went to tho North .Island with Mr TJru to invito Ratana to attend the Hui, and later related to the peoplo the aceotmt of Ms mission. He was willing to help »jay tho j

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account and Bo thought it was a shame that the case had been brought to Court. . The Magistrate said ho was not goir>K to decide the ease beforo he saw the minutes of the meetings of the committee. Barrett volunteered tbe information that the minutes were written half in Maori and half in and they were very badly kept. "I agree with the Hon. Patuki, said the Magistrate, "that the case should not have been brought to Court at all. It might have been arranged in some way.' - ' The case was adjourned till • Tuesday at 10.30 a.m.