A NATIVE JEREMY DIDDLER..

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 960, 27 June 1855, Page 1 (Supplement)

A NATIVE JEREMY DIDDLER..

A native, named Ilenare, of the Hokianga district, succeeded, about two years ago, in obtaining from his aboriginal brethren a large sura of money—about 400/., under the pretence of depositing the amount in the Bank, and of repaying it in 18 months, with the addition of an extraordinary rate of interest. At the expiry of the stated time neither principal nor interest was forthcoming, and the aggrieved parties resolved to bring him to account according to the forms of English Jurisprudence. Accordingly, on a certain day, about three months ago, arrangements were made for the trial of the prisoner, lie having by this time been placed in custody, and the following particulars have been kindly furnished us by a correspondent;— Abasia Karaka and others v. llentare. Before several native chiefs, in the capacity of Judges, and a Jury, originally intended to be within the limits of an English Jury, but which ultimately consisted of all the men, women, and children of the tribe immediately interested, and of two or three of those adjoining. The prisoner pleaded " Not guilty." The case for the prosecution was stated by tine of the chiefs present. The prisoner Henare had represented himself to be possessed of money, and as having a bank account in Auckland, Taranaki, and Port Mcholson. His banker entertained for him so high a respect, and treated him with so much liberality, that he was able to offer peculiar advantages to such of the natives as might feel disposed to invest their moneys along with his own. He promised that money deposited through him for a period of eighteen months would be returned at the end of that time, at the rate of 71. for every 5/. deposited. In consequence of these representations, which had since been found to be false, the prisoner had succeeded in obtaining from different natives sums to the extent of 400/. This statement was followed by a burst of indignation from the female portion of the jury; many of whom loudly demanded retribution. This unseemly conduct having been checked by the presiding judges, "Witnesses were called in support of the charge, and full proof was also offered the jury that the prisoner had been spending money freely in Auckland, and had otherwise been very extravagant ; doubtless with the money of which he had swindled other natives. The evidence seemed an " unmitigated staggerer" to the prisoner himself, as he thereupon withdrew his plea of " not guilty," and stated to the honourable Court that, if they would allow him time to write to his relations, he would most likely get from them the amount that would be necessary to make good the losses of the various prosecutors. A desultory consultation ensued, in which the jndges and jury took an equal part. As the English system was for the moment forgotten, the speakers were somewhat noisy, and the sceno might be characterised by the impertinent as a " magpie parliament." After a good _ deal of walking to aud fro, and rapid gesticulation, varied by a few set speeches and an interlude o

I two of dancing, the decision of the Court was arI rived at and duly pronounced,—that the said r Hcnare should write to his relations, demanding a sum of 400?. to enable him to get his liberty. I These letters were forthwith written, couched in very pitiable terms; and the prisoner was remanded, pending the receipt of the various answers. On the replies boing received, one was as follows: " I will not pay for you ; you have told many untruths; you must yourself he the payment of the money. As you said you had money in many hanks, write to your hanker Kohurea" (or as it may be translated, Mr. Cock-my-eye) " for the assistance you require. This is all. (Signed) Hoxe RorniA." Another relation kindly replied,—" Don't you wish you may get it;" and the remaining answers were equally unsatisfactory. On the receipt of these communications, a fine morning was chosen for the court to resume business ; the prisoner was again brought up, and the letters rend in open court, amidst terrible expressions of disappointment and indignation. The prisoner (who is now about thirty-five years of age) was unanimously found guilty, and sentenced to be imprisoned for a period of seventy TKARS. The result, of the trial gave universal satisfaction, the feeling of revenge, inherent in the disposition of the savage, being amply gratified ; whilst due respect, at the same time, had, " in their opinion," being rendered to the laws of England.