LIQUOR FOR MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 20

LIQUOR FOR MAORIS

BRAWL AT RUATOKI THREE NATIVES FINED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Wednesday "The illegal supply of liquor at Ruatoki has i become a serious matter, and I would ask you to deal severely with this case," said Constable 0. Rice, of Taneatua, when prosecuting two Maoris, Matau Kohu and Rangiuru Riini, before Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., at Whakatane to-day, on charges of supplying liquor to Maoris off licensed E remises. A Maori woman, Ruru tingi, was also charged with procuring liquor. "* "Tho men got drunk and a quarrel occurred, and in a brawl that followed three men were arrested for assault," said the constable. "Kingi states that the liquor was given her by a Hindu. There has been a lot of trouble over home brew at Ruatoki." Kohu and Riini were fined £3 and £1 15s 6d costs and £4 and £1 5s costs, respectively. Kingi was fined £3, with £1 Is costs..

THREE MEN FINED ' PROSECUTION AT CAMBRIDGE " [from our own con respondent] CAMBRIDGE. Wednesday Two Maoris and a European were concerned in liquor cases lizard in the Cambridge Police Court to-day before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M. There were two charges against Frederick Henry, that he supplied liquor to a Maori, Rapata Tairi, for consumption off licensed premises, and that he supplied liquor to All' Wilson, a, prohibited Maori. He pleaded guilty to the first charge and not guilty to the second. Rapata Taira and Alf Wilson were charged, with being parties to the offences of Henry, while Wilson was also charged with securing liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Picas of guilty wore entered to all charges. Constable C. H. Maisev said he saw Henry come out of the Central Hotel. He was given something by Wilson. He returned to the hotel, during which time Tairi, who was standing close by, was joined by Wilson. Hcfiry came out of the hotel again with a parcel under his coat. He went round the corner, followed by Tairi, and there the beer changed hands. / The constable read a statement made by Wilson, in which he admitted arranging with Henry to secure beer. Tain's statement was that he did not know Henry was getting beer until Wilson askecl him to go and tell Henry to go round the back Henry then pushed the parcel into his hands. He immediately put the beer on the ground and walked away, to be met by Constable Maisey. In evidence Henry said he was a barman, at present doing labouring work. He did not know that Wilson was prohibited. He did not know that Wilson had been securing liquor from time to time. Mr. Lundon stated in defence of Tairi that the act was that of a foolish man. Tairi had no cause to secure the liquor in this manner, as he could have gone into the hotel himself. Mr. Gnrrard stated that Wilson was purely a messenger and had not been seriously implicated in the case. The magistrate gave Henry the benefit of the doubt on the charge of supplying n prohibited Maori and dis* missed the case. On the other charge he imposed a fine of £5, with costs 10 s. 'lairi was fined £2, with costs 265, and Wil&Ott was fined £2. with costs -325. • ■ ' i