ARAHURA MAORIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1927, Page 11

ARAHURA MAORIS

TROUBLE IN THE CAMP. The Arahura Maoris had a field day at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, arising out of a series of family troubles that have been in evidence of late (says Friday’s Hokitika “Guardian”). Mr W. Meldrum, S.M. presided.

The Inspector of Fisheries proceeded against Tuhuru Tainui and George Tainui (Mr Pilkington) on a charge of using an explosive substance to kill fish in Arahura River, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Open Masone gave evidence that after his wife told him about the explosion, he went out and saw George Tainui on the island in the river, run up to the bridge, climb it, and go across the bridge.

Laurie George, Junr., said he saw George Taimii running on the bridge, with a bag in his hand. He went towards a car on the One Mile Road/ Sergeant King (Inspector of Fisheries) gave evidence it was possible from Masone’s home to identify a person on the bridge. He saw two fish brought by Kino Mason, and found the entrails mutilated, a cleai* indication of an explosion. Mr Pilkington said the defence was a distinct denial of the use of explosives. He also pointed out there was a large amount of ill-feeling among the Maoris at the pah. George Tainui gave evidence that shortly after the passing of the morning train he went across the bridge and saw C. Hutchison, White’s Road sawmill manager, and went with the latter in his car to Kokatahi. This was about 9.15 He did not use any explosive in the river, and was not on the river bank that morning,, only crossing the bridge once that morning. He was carrying his coat in his hand. Emma Tainui, mother of the two defendants, said that she saw George leave the house about 9.30, and saw Tuhuru in bed for an hour after that. Mr Meldrum said the onus was on the prosecution to prove the charge. The evidence was very unsatisfactory and both charges would be dismissed. ASSAULT CHARGE. Open and Mabel Masone were charged with assaulting George Tainui at Arahura. Evidence was given by plaintiff and defendant, their brothers, daughter, and other relatives being well mixed up, and the evidence was very contradictory. Mr Meldrum said the whole trouble arose out of a family dispute. There appeared no doubt that George Tainui took up an aggressive attitude, and was onlv looking for trouble. Certainly he got hurt, but he appeared to be looking for it. All the charges would be dismissed, each party to pay their own costs.