RATANA SUMMONED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 6

RATANA SUMMONED

Court Proceedings at Marton / — COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE Dominion Special Service. Marton, November 2. The Maori “prophet,” T. W. Ratana, is not an unfamiliar figure in court proceedings, and he featured in two judgment summons cases in Marton to-day. For not appearing personally he was strongly criticisd by the magistrate (Mr. R. M. Watson), who said that in future •Ratana must submit himself for examination or take the consequences. When the “prophet’s” name was called his private secretary—a dusky Native—stepped forward. ' !■ “You are not Ratana,” said the magistrate sternly. “No,” replied the secretary, “but I always appear in court on his behalf.” The Magistrate: Well, it won’t do. He is summoned to appear personally, and I would have him understand that he must appear personally. Mr. K. A. Williams, who represented Low and Gregory, drapers, Marton, and sought an order for £159/12/10, said he felt justified in making the application. Ratana, he said, had established a new pa at Patea, and with a party had just had a trip to North Auckland, and funds were now being accumulated for a further tour abroad. The Magistrate: Well, I have no evidence as to that. Had Ratana been here you could have examined him on it. The magistrate made an order for £l5 per month to be paid, in default three months’ gaol. Mr. J. R. L. Stanford, representing W. J. Beard, H. Austin, Mabel. Greenwood, and Nellie Batchelar, applied for an.order for the payment of £2O/3/9. He endorsed what Mr. Williams had said regarding recent and present activities and enterprises, adding that the prophet had recently been fined £5O at Patea for being drunk in charge of a car. and the fine had been paid immediately. An order for £3 a month, to be paid was made, default being fixed at 21 days’ gaol. “You tell Ratana . that he must come ' here himself in future,” was the magistrate’s parting shot to the secretary.