BEER FOR MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 14

BEER FOR MAORIS

PARTY AT A PA WEDDING CELEBRATIONS FINES IMPOSED ON INDIAN [BY TEL ICC HA I'll OWN COR I! KSPON DENT J KOTOKUA, Thursday Thn desire to celebrate suitably the marriage of a relative was responsible for thn appearance of an Indian, Kanji Rangi Nuri, in the Police Court at Hotorna this morning, charged on eight counts of taking liquor into a native pa and supplying drink to natives. The offences were admitted and defendant was represented by Mr. W. A. Carter. Senior Sergeant K. •). Carroll said that- some time ago the marriage had taken place of a relative of the defendant's, culminating in a beer party at the Ngapuna Pa. five gallons of beer had been purchased in Hotorna and taken b.v Nuri to the pa and all and sundry hud been invited to join the party. Nuri, who was married to a native woman, seemed to think that he could take liquor into the pa, but the law said that this was definitely illegal.

Trouble was frequently caused by persons taking liquor into native pus, the senior sergeant continued, and it was hoped that the Maori councils responsible for the maintenunce of law and order at the pas would in future give the police more assistance in stopping the practice. A native could drinkas much as he liked on hotel premises within reason but, as the law stood at present, he must be satisfied with that and not take liquor away from licensed premises.

Mr. Carter stated that Nuri hud been perfectly open about the matter when interviewed by the police. He had committed the offence in ignorance of the law and actually bud already been heavily punished hecuuse, during the party, a sum of £2O had been stolen from him unci, us the money was not his, he had had to make pood the loss. Mr. S. L. I 'aterson, S.M., entered a conviction and a fine of £r> on eueh of the eight charges, one month being allowed for payment.

Six natives, Hector Rikihana, Hare Rikihnna, W. Hamiora, R. Maika, M. Rikilnwna, and Wiremu Putiki, were charged with aiding and abetting Nuri in tlio commission of the offence. Each was convicted and fined £2 10s with costs.