CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17693, 6 July 1927, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 5. MAORI WOMAN’S SPENDING. An unusual bankruptcy was discussed at a meeting of creditors’to-day. The bankrupt was Mrs R. W. Morrison, formerly a resident of the Maori township of Tauhiwi, but now of Wellington. The unsecured debts were £1320, including, taxi-proprietors £97 4s, medical practitioners £l7B, hospitals £9O 14s 6d, liquor dealers £47, drapers £167 15s 4d, milliners £B4 19s 3d, bootmakers £29 15s, grocers £SO. Mrs Morrison ascribed her position 'to the fact that the New Zealand Lean and Mercantile- Agency Co. proceeded against her on a guarantee which sho had signed some years ago on her husband’s account with the firm. She tigned tho deed not thinking that she would ever bo called upon, but the Company had obtained judgment against her. Taxi bills and some cithers were not contracted by Mrs Morrison alone, but were in connection with flu's and other native functions where natives charged the bill to the head of the tribe. Mrs Morrison had a settled income which she drew from the Native Trustee, and Mr McGrath (her solicitor) directed attention to the fact- that under the Native Land Act this money could not bo touched for the recovery of debts or bankruptcy proceedings. “Airs Morrison feels her position very keenly,” said her solicitor, ‘‘and as for most of the debts she is anxious to pay them, particularly those due to medical men and hospitals. If she lives, I am sure they will bei paid.” Air R. H. Illingworth (representing a creditor): “Have you any jewellery ?” Airs Alcp-rison: “No, not beyond a few presents.” A creditor: “Well, there are these bills for liquor.” Air AlcGrath: “They were for bulk liquor sent to a hui, and if the claims were contested they would not be enforceable.” Air AV. S. Newburgh: “These liuis are expensive. I believe the Alaoris have a custom of locking to the head of the tribe to assist them.” Air Newburgh asked Air AlcGrath for something definitei about bankrupt’s income, and the answer was that it was from £740 to £750 a year. Tho unfortunate part was that the woman had her tribal liabilities in respect to the support of poorer Alaoris. Afr Grahani : “They can work.” Air AlcGrath: “No, thev are Communists. They don’t work.” Air Graham: “How, was this help given to other Alaoris?” Bankrupt: “I sometimes built houses for them.” Air Newburgh asked if Airs Alorrison wcnld «et aside a sum each quarter. Air AlcGrath: “She cannot do it b. r deed. It could be only by a voluntarv arrangement. I would advise her to do so. Her position is due to helping other Alaoris.” After same further discussion, tho creditors dispersed without arriving at a decision.