LIQUOR SUPPLIED TO MAORIS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 1 May 1934, Page 5

LIQUOR SUPPLIED TO MAORIS

CHINESE ADMITS OFFENCE. “MENACE TO COMMUNITY.” (By Telegraph —Press Association.) GISBORNE, April 30. “The accused- has had a warning from the police and' there is no- doubt he is a menace to the Maori comimunity,” said Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., to-day in inflicting fines totalling _ £25 and cost 9 on a Chinese named Willie Hong for supplying liquor to Maoris. Three charges were preferred against Hong of supplying wine to Maori women and two of .supplying wine _to Maori men in the Takitimu district, whore liquor is not allowed to be supplied to 'Maoris. Hong pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Wade said the arrest of two Maoris in a state of drunkenness led to further inquiries and it was found wine had been purchased by Hong, who- supplied it to the Maoris. The police had been looking for Hong for a long time, as it was recognised he had been supplying l,iquor to Maoris. A party would be held at Hong’s house and liquor consumed. “It is suggested,” said Senior-Ser-geant Wade, “that Hong’s intention in getting the women dnunk was to have illicit relations with them.” Counsel for Hong said Maori men went with Hong to purchase wine. Hong believed he could provide the Maoris with hospitality. The senior-sergeant said_ Hong had been previously warned against supplying liquor to Maoris. The magistrate inflicted a fine of xo on each charge, with costs. An application for the suppression ot Hong’s name was refused.