A MAORI WILL CASE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11250, 15 April 1908, Page 5

A MAORI WILL CASE.

(Per Pres* Association.)

AUCKLAND, this day. The Maori will case, in which Mr Henare Kaihau,. M.P. > seeks to e^tafrlish the validity bf the .will of sin old Maori lady named Mihi Riwi, of Waiuku, again came before Judge Edger at the. Native Land Court yesterday. A Native Tamihana, living nea r : Wainkn, had conversed with Mihi Kiwi chiring 'the., last- years -of -her life, and she seemed _ quite : dear in her mind. An old Maori, who .said he, was a half brother to deceased, remembered Mihi coming to his .settlement' at . Onewhero a fortnight before -her death. He asked: her where she had come from, when^ she replied that she had got too hjuch drink at , Waiuku, and was put into gaol, and on leaving gaol she was brought to Onewhero. •';» The witness then advised her 'to 'give iip drink, when she .said "No, : if is food, and good for us to have. ' * •> : After '; this he ceased to lecture her .oh. the eviljo of strong drink. When she came to Onewhero she and her brother had a tpngi, during which time the old woman wept copiously, and enumerated all their friends who had died since their -last meeting. This was regarded- by- thewitness as very. strong evidence of complete sanity. Mr Barriba.ll, a butcher* residing at Waiuku, testified to knowing Mihi for some years prior- to her death. She frequently came to- his shop and purchased nieat. She was quite sensible in her dealings/ Mr Ejirl called 'Mr Fitchett, ' the postmaster at. Waiuku, who said he remembered Mihi on one occasion entering the , post office lobby with a large swag which she deposited ki a corner. She .apparently intended ,to stay all night. • After a quarter of, an hour he persuaded her .to leave. She seemed silly from' old age. '„ , In cross-examination-'' by Mr Parr witness said he could not; remember any conversation with her.

Thjs concluded the eviderice, .and the case was further adjourned for the addresses of .counsel.