COURTROOM "KORERO"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 150, 22 December 1922, Page 19

COURTROOM "KORERO"

MAORI DISPUTE SETTLED AN UNUSUAL METHOD IN AUCKLAND, x The novel spectacle of a dozen Maoris holding a "kowro" in the Courtroom, at the suggestion of the Judge, to settle their differences was witnessed in the Auckland Supreme Court on Monday. Tattooed Native women played a prominent part in lively argument, and a staid old chief, pacing deliberately up and down the floor, delivered a quiet harangue. At one time, when the lawyers 'were momentarily absent from, the Court, some of the Maoris shook their fists at the 'others, and a free fight seemed imminent (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). However, Mr. Justice Reed resumed his seat on the Bench, and eventually his tact and. persuasiveness won the day. :, All the morning, and for a good portion of the afternoon his Honour had been engaged hearing evidence by Natives from Hatata concerning a dispute over a proposed war memorial. The position was that a Maori woman who owned a store in the district and acted as treasurer of the fund for some time refused to hand ov«r the money, £208, because she contended the memorial should be solely to fallen soldiers. She objected to the names of returned men 'being inscribed on it, on the ground that they were not worthy of the honour, asserting that they were "drunkards and thieves," and had stolen her fowls.' 'The opposing faction, who wanted the names of all Maori soldiers from the district placed on the memorial, sought an order compelling her to disgorge the ftinds. - APPEAL FOB COMMON-SENSE. When the defendant wag in the witness box, his Honour said it seemed a groat pity there should be a fight over the matter. He mentioned that 20 cr 30 years ago he had experience of Maoris who would go into Court and spend £30 or £40 on each side over a calf that was worth 10s. If -the parties would exercise a little common,-sense they could quite easily arrange that the memorial should be to fallen soldiers, but that the names of the living soldiers should be inscribed somewhere on it. Mr. Hampson, of. Rotorua, who appeared for the plaintiffs, said both he and Mr. Leary, solicitor for the defendant, much preferred that the parties themselves, rather than .ccunsel, should settle the dispute. Ho and his friend had already expended thoirj best endeavours. * -, '■ „ The Judge then called all the Natives before him and delivered a little homily to, them. They all lived in the same district, the same pa, he said, and it was a great pity they should quarrel about a ■ memorial. If he gave a decision one way or the other, for plaintift or for defendant, the result was going to be the same, namely; that there would be bad feeling in the district over the memorial, which should really be a cause of pleasure and satisfaction rather than a cause of trouble. What he wanted was that the leaders, of each side should come together and try to evolve some method by which they could make the memorial one to fallen soldiers, but would have some record of the living on it. They would then have a memorial they could always bo proud j of and there would be no ill-feeling among them. PARTIES' STRENUOUS DEBATE. " The Court was then adjourned for half an hour, but as the. strenuous debate between the parties showed.no signs of ending, the time was extended to over an ' hour. An interpreter was kept busy, and eventually some sort of an agreement appeared to be arrived at. When his Honour re-entered the Court Mr. Hampsou said it had b^en proposed that the whole of the front of the memorial should be devoted to deceased soldiers, and on the inside, m small lettering, the names of the living soldiers should be placed. „ ' The Judge said that seemed a reasonable proposition. „,.,., Mr. Hampson said the trouble was that there was now a dispute as to the site. The plaintiffs wanted the memorial to be erected at the entrance, to the Matata Domain, and the defendant ■, wished it to be placed on a site given by her, at the junction of three roads. ,_ ■ It. was mentioned that the latter site was near the defendant's store, and his Honour said he hoped it was not per-' sonal vanity that made her want the memorial there, for it did not seem right she should have it in her.backward. He asked if ,there was any prominent man whose opinion could be obtained on the question of the most suitable site, but then remarked he supposed the settlers ■would not like to become embroiled m the dispute. How would it be, he suggested, to feet the member for the district, Sir William Hefries,'to go along! "An excellent idea," said Mr. Hampton, but he then remembered that Matata waanow in Mr. Hookly's. district. JUDGE PROVIDES SOLUTIQK 1 After further discussion Mr. IJaery. said it was suggested there should be a on each site. His Honour:, "Of course that is absolute nonsense, isn't it? It would simply spoil the whole thing." -Mr. Leary wearily replied ibaS te ■had told his client that. ' ' The Judge then made the Happy suggestion that the defendant, Miss Savage, should have the honour 'of opening the" memorial if fihe agreed to it being erected at the entrance to the Matata Domain. This proposal pot with the favour of both parties, and it was agreed that one marble pillar of the entrance gates should have the names of the dead soldiers inscribed on it, and the other the names of the living, and*that the defendant should perform the opening; It had driginally been intended to have an archway, but the defendant objected io this as she did not want the pillar representing the dead to be connected jrith the other for the living.' ADVISED TO SHAKE HANDS. His Honomr, speaking through an interpreter, congratulated the parties on being, sensible people, and not continuing the foolish fight. It was well that the matter should be brought before the Court and finally decided. He wanted them to understand that no one had won in the fight, and that it was simply a mutual, pleasant arrangement.' He hoped that when they went bnck to Matata they would all shake hands and help in raising the balance of the money needed to make the memorial gates a credit to the district. There was some applause at this stage, and a number of the Natives started to leave the Court, apparently quite contented. Mr. Hampson thanked the Judge for the trouble lie hail gone to, and his Honour, in reply, said he iliel not often tako a hand in a case Ike this, but he / ()id not like, to see the Maoris fighting over the memorial. No judgment wan entered, and it was agreed that the cost.3 ahculd be "pooled" if possible. ■ .'