LIQUOR AMONGST THE MAORIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 3

LIQUOR AMONGST THE MAORIS.

PROSECUTION AT TAUMARUNUI. CFaou Qua Own Cobrespondent.) AUCKLAND, March 15. The whole of yesterday's sitting in the court at Taumarunui was taken up with the hearing of a liquor case in which the defence was that the town was no longer to be regarded in any sense as a kainga since the constitution of ,the borough. The case was a charge against a young man of waving a bottle containing some whisky in a somewhat demonstrative way in one of the streets of the European portion of the town. Mr Selwyn Mays conducted the case for the police, and M.T Strang defended. The accused was ignored almost from the beginning, and subtle legal argument •was advanced from both sides in which the entire legislative bearing of the question was considered. Mr Strang's chief points were that the circumstances were so completely altered that the original proclamation in 1904 did not govern the newer organisation, and that otherwise there was nothing to prevent the Maori Council from attempting to assert its authority over the entire area of the borough. He pointed out that the borough was formed with the full concurrence of the Natives. If the regulations of the proclamation were nullified in certain particulars, such as smoking, dog licenses, etc., the remaining one should similarly fall to the ground. Mr Mays combated these arguments in a lengthy address, stating that ifc was not a question of setting aside by-laws, but abrogating a penal law. The Magistrate took the same view. The fact that the boundaries were becoming irksome to European residents could not justify him in ignoring their existence. The only remedy was to take steps to have the boundaries restricted or otherwise altered. He would enter a conviction. Here the young man, who was somewhat bored during the progress of the argument, began to take an interest in the case. He was fined £1 and costs (£4 5s 6d).