SERIES OF CHARGES

Southland Times, Issue 21072, 2 May 1930, Page 6

SERIES OF CHARGES

MAORIS BEFORE COURT.

COMMUTED FOR SENTENCE.

(Per United Press Association.)

Dargaville, May 1

At the Police Court to-day after a two days’ trial, four Maoris, Peter Stewart, John Tewaaki, James Toko and Rebecca Stewart, wife of the first mentioned, pleaded guilty and were remanded to the Auckland Supreme Court for sentence on a number of charges including arson, theft, breaking and entering and sheep stealing. The total values of the goods stolen and destroyed, including a house burnt valued at £4OO, ran into several hundreds of pounds. The natives lived at a settlement, known as Wairerc on the west coast beach, and according to their own evidence, and that, of the police, their activities carried them over a wide range of sparsely populated country. The majority of the goods stolen were taken to the home of Peter Stewart who appears to have been the ringleader and had the others under his rule. These goods were buried in a cave near the house and in holes round about it where they were discovered after a diligent search bv the police and exhibited in court which resembled a large general store, so varied were the articles on view. The crimes have extended over a long period and settlers are relieved and thankful that the police have been able to sheet the charges home to the perpetrators. The house destroyed was four-roomed, just furnished, and about to be occupied by a newly married couple. Their loss was a particularly heavy one as the house was uninsured.

A younger Maori, Sam Dick, will be charged at the Juvenile Court on May 12 with being concerned in several of the charges, also the theft, of goods valued at £2O.