TAPU GROUND

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 9, 11 July 1933, Page 3

TAPU GROUND

COMPLAINT BY MAORIS CHARGE OF DESECRATION An echo of recent complaints by Maoris that people" were interfering with their burial grounds, was heard in the Thames Magistrate's Court recently when S. Hovell was charged with committing mischief by entering upon the Matatoki-Oruarangi block and digging holfs thereon. He pleaded not guilty. Mr. E. J. Clendon, for the Maori owners, said the case was unique. The facts, were simple, and the prosecution was laid under section 188 of the Justices of. the Peace Act, paragraph C, which denned the offence of mischief. This was alleged to have taken place from December 1 last at Matatoki. Some years ago the title to Oruarangi was investigated and some three acres were reserved as tapu. A great number of Maoris were buried there, together with the usual valuable implements. For some tinre, said counsel, there had been a craze for Maori relics, which commanded a good price. Last year Hovell camped close to the reserve and had done a considerable amount of digging and desecration on the tapu ground. N- The whole had been turned up and deep holes made. John Anderson and two co-trustees were in charge of the block, and they had steadfastly set their face against any desecration. In spite of repeated warnings Hovell had persisted in doing the work. He had even done it secretly, continued counsel, and had posted boys in trees to warn him when Maoris approached. The tapu ground was fenced in. The Maoris strongly objected to anyone interfering with the' sacred ground. _. John Anderson, a Maori, gave evidence in support of counsel's statement. He said some holes were four feet in depth. Many skeletons had been unearthed and then reburied. He had never given Hovell permission to dig on the tapu ground, but every time he visited the place fresh workings had been made. He caught Hovell once and Hovell immediately stepped across the boundary. He had warned Hovell repeatedly against disturbing the ground, but Hovell and several others had camped close to the place. In the early days animals, and even men, who trespassed on the ground were killed. The defence made a' point that Hovell had. permission to level the tapu ground and fill in any holes, besides being allowed to dig for relics on adjoining ground. One witness, under cross-examination, produced five greenstone pendants which he stated he had obtained from, land adjacent to the tapu ground. Defendant admitted that he had discovered a large collection of Maori curios at Oruarangi Pa. He stated that he was not alono in his digging, as several parties from Thames, and one from Auckland, were also on the area. Defendant claimed he had a verbal permission from a trustee to exploit the ground, but he claimed that the true burying place of the pa was outside the reserved area, as thousands of bones were found there. They, would rest undisturbed. . . Tho Bench adjourned the case for three months, provided defendant promised riot to trespass on the area in that time. Defendant promised in Court to agree to the Court's stipulation.