Four Charges Against Maori At Kaeo

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1939, Page 2

Four Charges Against Maori At Kaeo

[Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 KAIKOHE, This Day. Four charges wore heard against Hongi Hape. a Maori labourer, of Pupuke, in the Kaeo Magistrate's Court, before Mr G. N. Morris, S.M. He was fined £2 with 10/- costs on a charge of making a false statement to the police; £2 with 10/- costs for behaving in ,an offensive manner; £1 for assaulting L. McLelland. at Ohaeawai; and £5 with 10/- costs for aiding and abetting the sale of liquor to natives. Constable Buckley stated that accused had committed an unlawful act at Ohaeawai on June 9, which caused L. McLelland to use strong language against the accused, who immediately assaulted him. When Constable Ryan arrived on the scene he was informed by the accused that the licensee of the Ohaeawai Hotel, who was McLelland’s father, had sold liquor after hours. Accused had later admitted making false statements concerning the liquor, and his statements were produced in Court. When convicting Hape, the magistrate said that it was not generally known in the North that a person was liable to a fine of £2O for giving the police false information. Peri More, also of Pupuke, was jointly charged with Hape of making a false statement to the police, and was fined £2 with 12/- costs. On a charge of aiding and abetting Hape in the sale of liquor to natives. More was convicted and fined £5 Avith 10/- costs.