Young Maori Man Unable to Sign Name.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 126, 30 October 1936, Page 4

Young Maori Man Unable to Sign Name.

MAGISTRATE SURPRISED.

PABENTS NEGLECTFUL

“I cannot understand a young man of 28 years continuing on in life without being able to sign bis name,” remarked Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., in the Pukekohe Court yesterday. Asked by the magistrate why he could nor. sign his name to a police statement, the defendant, a Maori, said he had not been to school.

When questioned further the Maori said be bad been to school, but be did not have any class.” The young man went on lo say he was not long at school, he being laid up. When well again be was too big to go to school.

The magistrate.: You could not lie (oo big. Dart of defendant’s punishment, continued the magistrate, should he that he be made to go into the police station and write out his name 100 times. He had seen numerous cases where young Maori people did not re - reive a chance to go to school. This was neglect on the part, of parents, the Slate providing education free. Constable H. J. Olsen told the magistrate that lie did not catch many Maoris who could not sign their names. Constable F. T. Wakelin said there were many Maori children in this district who did not allend school.