MAORI LAND LAW.

Otago Witness, Issue 3002, 27 September 1911, Page 33

MAORI LAND LAW.

IMPRISONMENT FOR CONTEMPT. WELLINGTON, September 22. A Native named Pauro Orino appeared before Mr Justice Edwards to-day on a writ of attachment calling upon him to show cause why he should not be sent to prison for disobedience of an order of the court. • On June 28 the Aotoa District Maori Land Board brought an action against Pauro for an injunction to proven! him from trespassing on the board's landi and judgment was given for plaintiff. He had not obeyed this order. His Honor asked prisoner if he wera prepared to submit to the order, but he refused. The Solicitor-general (Mr J. W. Salmond), counsel for the board., said tlhat Pauro would have to be committed. The law must not be defied. He had been trespassing habitually with his cattle, and he was perfectly well aware of the nature of the proceedings, and his action could be only regarded as wilfully contumacious. A lesson should be given making it clear that Maoris could not defy a judgment of the court. He was afraid there was no alternative but to send him to gaol. His Honor: There is none. Pauro said he did not wish to hold the law in contempt, but lie objected to the way he had been treated by the board. His Honor: He is talking of appealing. Mr Salmond: Notice was served this morning. His Honor: The case has been gone into by Mr Justice Sim and myself at Wanganui. An appeal does not prevent the necessity for obeying an order of the court. Through an interpreter, Pauro explained that the land formed his sole living, and if he moved he and his children and grandchildren would starve. Mr Salmond explained the circumstanoeSi so that no wrong impression would go forth. The land, he said, was occupied bj the board as a farm for the Natives, and a reserve was set aside for them to live on. Pauro was not . satisfied with_ this, but insisted on appropriating part, of the land for his own use. The area, occupied was far more than he would have been entitled; to on a partition. He could use land on the adjoining block, but he refused to do> this. His Honor: It is quite impossible thai you should defy the law. I have no alternative but to send you to prison. The term will be three calendar months, or iess if the contempt is purged.