BANKRUPT MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 12

BANKRUPT MAORI.

MONEY WITH LAND BOAftl).

REFUSAL TO DRAW IT.

Certain unusual features were associated with the application for discharge made before Mr. Justice Herdman in th« Bankruptcy Court; yesterday, by Hirata Hearse (Mr. W. T. Hamoson), a Maori woman, of Tokaanu. The •; application, was opposed by the petitioning creditor, a local storekeeper, for whom Dr. Fitohett

appeared. -,' . ,'„.*« It was stated that bankrupt owed £168 'to the. storekeeper, and that a judgment had been recorded against her at Tokaanu in respect of her debt. Bankrupt was described as a woman of considerable means, owning native land and receiving royalties for timber rights.-She •was understood to have about £750 to her credit with the Maori : Land . Board, and that money she -would not. it was alleged, uplift, because money so held by the board was protected against bankruptcy proceedings. -'_.-., , . Dr. Fitchett said the account between ! the storekeeper and the doctor had been running many years. ... The debtor, who wore a vivid green knitted ; coat over a blue jersey, stated, through an interpreter, that she; had < received money as royalty on timber. When questioned about the; money stated to be held for her by the Maori Land Board, she said : " I do not know anything about that money." Asked if she would uplift any money ihat might 'be held for .her, she answered: "I won't touch it." Questioned as to why she adopted that attitude, she replied : " Because I' do not know it is there." , , Dr. Fitchett: We. cannot compel bar to uplift the money, and while it is there we) cannot touch it, ... His Honor said these special laws were passed to protect the natives, who were not supposed to be as shrewd and capable as the pakeha. He did not care about withholding the woman's discharge. .If he refused a discharge or made a conditional discharge'the effect would be to make the money an asset in bankrutcy. He accordingly granted the discharge.