NATIVE LAND SCHEMES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21177, 30 May 1934, Page 6

NATIVE LAND SCHEMES

■ _—♦— TIME SHEETS SAID TO BE f FALSIFIED UT.ZSS ASSOCIATION TELEOJUIM GISBORNE, May 29. The falsification of time sheets on a native land development scheme at Ruatoki was alleged against two Maoris, Rangi Royal and Edward Bi.:dle, before Mr Justice Blair in the Supreme Court to-day. The charges related to June 8, 1933. Royal was charged with making a false entry on the wages and time sheet, and Biddle, foreman on the work, was charged with concurring with Royal in the making of a false entry. John White Scott, Government auditoi*, gave formal evidence, and added that one of the men engaged on th« contract under the Ruatoki development scheme had complained of receiving only 26s after signing for £6. Tiweka Anuru, registrar of the Roto; ua Native Lanl Court, described the system of financing the development schemes. Royal was supervisor over a length of 160 miles, and Biddle had tdo much work, The workers earned less than 5s a day in some cases. No complaints regarding missing money were received last year. Turanga Whakarau. one of four labourers on contract, stated that each, was to receive £5. The money, with£3 due under an earlier contract,, was paid to them. They then handed the pay envelopes, at the suggestion of the paymaster, to Royal, who retained £3, saying" it would be paid to them when the second contract was completed. When paid they had not started the second contract, but did so the next day, and completed the work in front three to five days. They went to collect the contract money from the local storekeeper, but were told that only 20:5 awaited them. No complaint was made until the auditor came round many months later. After corroborative evidence, th*. court adjourned until to-morroW, when the Crown case will be continue:!.