AUCKLAND NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2973, 8 March 1911, Page 70

AUCKLAND NOTES.

CFbom Odb Owk Cobeesfondent.) AUCKLAND, February 26. At the Auckland Police Court three young men-Hea-bert Parker, W. Stewart, and Arthur Smith—were charged with the theft of horses at Otorohanga. Mr K. A Moody appeared for Mr i'llKington for Smith, and Mr J. R. Lundon for Parker. Acting Chief Detective MacMahon explained that for a long time horse-stealing had been going on m the Otorohanga district on almost a wholesale scale. In December a horse van was ordered, and the three accused trucked several horses by rail to Remuara consuming them in the name of ' A. Bell. They were sold at Buckland's saleyaros. When arrested, Parker said he had caught the horses on Anderson's run. Smith and Stewart admitted helpmg to catcntne horses, and the latter said- Anderson had told him they were Maori horses and that they could "take them away. Considerable evidence was given by the owners ot the horses, who stated that nobody had any authority to remove them. The three accused pleaded " Not polity, and were committed for trial, bail being allowed in two sureties of £SO and a personal bond of £IOO. Further charges were preferred against Parker of theft of five horses, valued at £IOO. The accused pleaded " Not guilty," and was committed for trial, the same bail as in the previous case being allowed.

The Gi-aves Committee of the Victoria League is now actively undertaking the erection of a memorial to the soldiers who Ml in the Maori wars. The memorial as fto take th.e 'form of a handsome memorial obelisk of Coromandel granite, bearing suitable commemorative inscriptions. The plinth serving as the foundation of the column is to be of concrete. The monument will be erected in a prominent situation. The Government is responding generously to the call of the Graves Committee for funds, and it is now expected' that prosperous Aucklanders who owe their security and thenwealth to these brave sailors and soldiers will give liberal donations.

Several representative Natives of the Ngakihama tribe assembled at the manse at Manunui yesterday to express regret and sympathy at the death of Dr Agatha Monfries. Peke Te Whetu Te Huia Kotuku, on behalf of the party, stated that with sad hearts they had come to convey their sympathy concerning the death of the late Dr Monfries. They had brought with them their mats, including fcn "aute," that they desired to place upon the coffin. After salutations had been exchanged, including the hongi, the party were received by the Revs. J. J. Monfries, J. E. Ward, and W- Woollass, •whereupon Hakiaka Tawhiao chanted a lament.'- Then Miram Kahu, Karewao Te Okerua, Kotuku Mohi, and Amakura handed the mats and the " aute " to Peke Te Huia Kotuku, who gave them to the Rev. J. E. Ward, and assisted him to drape the coffin. The Maoris placed a most beautiful wreath upon the coffin. The Eev. J. J. Monfries thanked them very kindly for their tokens of love and eeteefcn. Bej Would take the " aute " as far as the grave. It would be, as thev had stated, an emblem of love and grief to the deceased. He would then return it to them so "that it might be used for others who would follow on the path of pain and grief. He thanked them for their kindness, and' hoped a kindly Providence would safely guard and bless them. It was explained by Hakiaka that Mm Monfries was greatly beloved by the. Maori people. Civilisation had brought two tihingS »}f lgreat value rto them— Christianity and medical —and both were lights amid the gloom. He expressed feif. great sympathy with all the sick people who would miss the kindlv ministrations of the late-doctor, who had never refused to attend any of the Maoris, but now she, who had been a light to shine a brief time, had gone to the everlasting. light whicli never wanes but illuminates providence and all our associations with it. The Maoris could not forget, they had their own way of remembering. He would say -cf the deceased: " Thou hast gone to thy reward—scne, gone, but thou art present in our thoughts, which are uncontrolled!, nave by ourselves. Go, let thy journey be 'bright and k>ve follow thee and prosper the flight of thy canoe to the presence of the Eternal where there is.no l more., pa/in, where pain and sickness are ended and .in thy bliss eat thou thy kumara of peace. May God bless you and keep you unto Himself." Manuaute also gave an oration. The Eev. J. E. Ward, after offering prayer, returned thanks to the Natives, and the gatherand which was of a unique character, dispersed.