HUMOUR IN COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 June 1924, Page 8

HUMOUR IN COURT.

A MAORI AND HIS MONEY. “DON’T YOU GET RATTLED..’ Our law- courts are often the scenes ot pathos, but now and again a little unrehearsed humour finds its way in. At the Napjei«~ Magistrate's Court on Monday afternoon, a Maori church committee sued their late chairman for funds which it was alleged he lvad failed to account for. The defendant was not represented by counsel, and he conducted his own cross-examinations Un being shown the minute-book of the meetings which held evidence of his having part of the missing monev he said: Yes, that’s te “minister” book all \ right, and that’s mv signature; but 1 guarantee L never signed Later in the case, lie said to the Magistrate: Now, don’t vou «et rat tied! * “Don’t be rude, Boh,” replied bis Worship All right, I’m sorry, I apologise- but a fair thing’s a fair thing, that’s all * ,X ou I can’t speak much English. I just pick it up on the road. I just come along here for to have a talk about the case. The defendant admitted having bad one portion of the monev. but 'Vhen bis Worship said, “You admitted also having the £1 for timber, didn’t you s ” be answered quickly, “Who fold vou T had it?” “I thought you told me vou had it ” said his Worship. “No fear, I never!” was the rejoinder, : ' The liekeretari” deposed that on one occasion, when a motion was put to the committee that the defendant should return the money, the latter, in his position as chairman, had adjourned the meeting so that the motion could not be carried.—H.B Herald.