A MAORI MERE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16296, 1 February 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

A MAORI MERE.

PBESENT TO CAPTAIN HALSEY. DISPUTED OWNERSHIP. AUCKLAND, January 21. Mr Cutten, S.M., gave judgment at the Magistrate's Court in a case heard before Christmas, in which Henare Kaibau (Mr F. G. Massey) sued Mere Paora (M* E. C. BlomfieW) for the possession of a block of greenstone of an estimated value of £100, also for £25 damages for alleged wrongful detention of the same. Interest centred in this case because the defendant presented the greenstone to Captain Halsey, of H.M.S. New Zealand, when it waa claimed by Henare Kaihau. It was left in charge of the Mayor of Auckland pending settlement of the dispute. His Worship reviewed the evident* at some length. It was clear, the judgment proceeded, that the plaintiff's account of the matter was unsatisfactory. He had left the stone in the hands of other people for 23 years without making any claim for its possession. Although he said he left it in Paora's possession merely for safe keeping, he did not claim it on Paora's death. Further, it was to be noted that if the plaintiff's story was true Paora Tuhauere was guilty of extremely dishonourable conduct, in that a stone which he held in trust for Henare Kaihaa he gave to his young daughter. Whatever faults the Native character might have, it was extremely difficult to believe that Maoris of the rank of these men would act in a way that would be dishonourable in the eyes of their own people. Mr Crrtten concluded: ''I am satisfied that the history of the stone given by the defendant is the true one, and that at the time of the presentation to Captain Halsev the stone was the defendant's property." Judgment was given for "the (defendant with costs.

Mr Blomfield remarked that the atone would now be sent on to Captain Ilalsey.