A MAORI MARRIAGE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144859, 10 December 1915, Page 7

A MAORI MARRIAGE.

QUESTION OF THE GIRL’S AGE. A case of some interest to Maoris at Parihaka was hoard in the Magistrate's Court at Now Plymouth this morning, when a Native named llangi Parikopa was charged with unlawfully carnally knowing a Maori' girj under the ago of 16 years, and another Maori, llangi K. Tohu, was charged with abetting the alleged offence. This was alleged to have taken place at Parihaka between November 3 and 27. Mr. A. Crooko, S.M., was on the bench.- Both oases were taken together, and Mr. A. M. Johnstone appeared for both the Sub-Inspector Fouhy, in outlining the case for the police, said the girl was taken from her homo to Parihaka when she was an infant. On November 3 she was married by the Maori custom to Parikopa at Parihaka, and they lived together until November 25, when the girl left “her so-called husband" and wont to live with her father at Puniho. The girl’s father said she would bo 15 years old on January 13 next, and lie knew because “it is written in my book.” The 1 entry was made on the day of the child’s birth. The girl was brought up by the accused Tohu from the lime she was quite small until now. llangi Tohu is the son of the Jato Tohu, who was a chief. llangi 'lohu went to Puniho to see witness about the marriage of the girl with Parikopa, and said it was his wish that, tho marriage should take place. Witness replied that Tohu had adopted tho child, and so she was Tolm’s child, but witness wished Tohu to know tho girl was not yet old enough to be married. Witness did not bear Tohu make any reply to that. That was the only time Tohu went to witness prior to tho marriage. _W itnoss was not present at the marriage, and did not know when it took place, but tho visit of Tohu before the marriage was cither in October or November. The girl hod come to witness house last Saturday; week and had remained there over since. To Mr. Johnstone, witness said ho had 16 children, but one was dead. Tohu gave tho girl her name. Ono of witness’ nous was at the marriage. Kepi ufanu, sou of the last witness, said ho was present at tho Maori marriage of his sister to Parikopa at Rangi Tohu’s bouse at Parihaka. Tho marriage was accordiug to Maori custom. No clergyman was present,-, and “there was no writing, no book, and no records.” The two simply agreed to live together as husband and wife, llangi Tohu spoke to all tho people in the house arad said ho agreed that they should get married. Witness’ sister and llangi Tohu then talked to ono another. Xhov wore sitting together. To tho Magistrate; Tho ceremony of marriage according to tho Maori custom was concluded f.'hon the man and woman sat together. They were then supposed to bo married. Tho court then adjourned until 2 o’clock this afternoon.