RUA'S SAVINGS BANK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11755, 20 July 1916, Page 5

RUA'S SAVINGS BANK.

"A HOLE IN THE GROUND.' At the trial of tb© Urewera leaded Rua in Auckland this week the Crown Prosecutor questioned accused with reference to his statement that the taking of his people to Gisborne " to meet King Edward" cost him £I6OO. Did he get the money from the salo of land? Rua replied that he had not, sold any of his land f at that time. He had worked for ten years, and had saved up his money. Asked where ha kept it, Rua said that a Maori knew where to keep his money—ha just scratched a hole in the ground and buried. His own money was mostly in, notes. His Honor: Did you bury the notes? —Yes; I put them in a bottle, and bunged them up and then, buried ity (Laughter.) It would be,very awkward if someone came along and found it?—A man would be mad to put it where it could be found. Did you bury it in a gully or on a hill?—I don't intend to tell a living soul where it is. Prisoner was cross-examined abouti the savings bank which he was said to have established at Maungapohatu for the deposits of his people. Asked how much was depositedj he replied: " Only £380; a mere trifle." (Laughter.) Rua explained that he had a safe at Waimana in which he placed the deposits of his " bank.' 3 The safe i was procured after he spent £I6OO on tlia Gisborne trip. Some of the Maoris deposited their money with the prisoner for the full term, which was ten years They were paid interest annually. Others drew their money out the day after depositing it. They did not get interest. (laughter.) Mr Tole: I believe you got a seal from a printing firm in Auckland for the " Maungapohatu Bank?" —Yes. His Honor (seeking to test prisoners knowledge of banking): How much is 5 per cent on £'ls?. —I can't say. I don't want to be bothered with simple matters like that. (Laughter.)