HUMOUR IN THE COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19047, 26 June 1924, Page 5

HUMOUR IN THE COURT

A MAORI AND HIS MONEY. “DON’T YOU GET RATTLED.” Our law courts are often the scenes of pathos, but now and again a little unrehearsed humour finds its way in. At the Napier Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon, a Maori church committee sued their late chairman for funds which it was alleged he had failed to account for. The defendant was not represented by counsel, and he conducted his own cross-examina-tions. On being shown the minute-book of the meetings which held evidence of his having part of the missing money, he said: Yes, that’s to “minister” book all right, and that’s my signature; but I guarantee I never signed it! Later in the case he said to the Magistrate: Now, don’t you get rattled! i “Don’t be rude, Bob,” replied his Worship. All right, I’m sorry, I apologise; but a fair thing’s a fair thing, that’s all I want. You know, I can’t speak much English. I just pick it up on the road. I just come along here for to have a talk about the case. The defendant admitted having had one portion of the money, but when his Worship said, “You admitted also having the £1 for timber, didn’t you?” he awswered quickly, “Who told you I had it?” *‘l thought you told me you had it, ’ ’ said his Worship? “No fear, I never!” was the rejoinder. The “hekeretari” deposed that on one occasion, when a motion was put to the committee that the defendant should return the money, the latter, in his position as chairman, had adjourned the meeting so that the motion could not be carried.—H.B. Herald.