A QUAINT APPEAL

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 108, 14 September 1938, Page 7

A QUAINT APPEAL

MAORI’S LETTER TO THE COURT

AFTERMATH OF BURGLARY Quaint epistles have come from the pens of part-educated Maoris, but the following will take some equalling. It was read in the Te Awamutu Court at the request of the writer, who had admitted charges of breaking and entering business premises at Otorolianga about two or three weeks ago, i l company with two other young men. The presiding Justices committed all three to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence. “Statement to the Police, Probation Officers, and Court. —I, , wishes to make this statement, giveing myself from all angle. I have spilt the last bad blood there was in me. I am broken down. I am like a dying dog. I here plead will the Law spare me this last chance. I have 107 acres of land which about to go under the Native Development Scheme at the Government Financial. Which will put my wife and family on our feets. I have papers to the effect which was witnessed and signed by Mr R. Green, J.P., of Otorohanga. Will my wish be granted. I promise faithfully to be on the Law side always; if possible I am prepared to go under Prohibition for 4 or 5 years or whatever, also be prohibited for life. Beer was my downfall. The mention of it now haunts. .1 also prepare to make reports to the Police every fortnight of my daily movement and help the Law as much as I can. There will only be three tilings I will seek in future, Love, Peace and Prosperity. The fear of the Law has bloomed in my innermost. I have turned a new leal'e to golden love and peace. (Signed),