OBSCENE LANGUAGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 April 1927, Page 9

OBSCENE LANGUAGE.

MAORI AVOMAN CHARGED. Described by the police 'as “the greatosc- pest about the town,” Mary Reid, a native woman, appeared before Alessrs C. O. Ekdahl -and R. S. Sage, J’s.P., at the Hawera Polios Court this morning to answer a charge of using obscene language in Arbion Street yesterday evening. .Accused iiieaded not guilty, and elected to be dealt with by the bench. The case, was conducted by Sergeant Henry, who informed the court that at about 7.45 o’clock last evening, as the result of a complaint concerning the conduct of some natives in what is known as the Alaori paddock in the corner of Albion aud High streets, He visited the scene with Constable Mulian. AA'hen they were on the opposite corner, Constable Alullan drew his attention to obscene language being used in the paddock, and on crossing the read the sergeant heard repeated the terms specified on the charge sheet. In the paddock were six or seven Maoris who had evident been drinking, and the accused, with another Alaori woman, was in a shed on the section.

Evidence to this effect was given by Constable Alullan, who said further that he had heard the language complained of .repeated in the .same voice, and accused had admitted having used the words. She also said that a man in tire x>addock had used the same terms to her. She had evidently had drink, but not sufficient to warrant her being charged with drunkenness. Sergeant Henry also gave evidence retroborating the constables statement concerning accused's admission. Accused said .she had gone to the section co get her gig, and in coming ouit she was met by the sergeant and the constable. She asked why they were caking her to the police station, and when, told it was because she had used the- words mentioned, she had denied that she., had done so. Sergeant Henry: Didn’ t the police sec ~oa go in the shed, and didn’t you admit using the languagev Accused: No. Air J‘ kdahl: Do you think that two police officers would .swear in court that' you made the admission if you did not Y Accused: I tel 1 you the truth. I did not use the, language. Sergeant Henry: This woman is married to a European, and has certain privileges in being served with liquor. She obtains a certain amount of drink and b comes most abusive when spoken to. I think 1 am ri.vht in saying that -lie lias caused more trouble than any ‘other native woman in town, and .she is known as the greatest pest about Hie town.

Ac-used was convicted and fined £2, in 'default seven days ’imprisonment. She was allowed until noon to-morrow to pay tlie amount. v