BIGAMY CASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19771, 19 February 1927, Page 6

BIGAMY CASE

COMMENT FROM THE BENCH OUTSIDE INFLUENCE ON MAORI **Tt is apparent that but for some outside form of influence, accused would not have gone through this second marriage. It has been suggested that followers of the Katana movement up-river have been associated to some extent with these bigamous marriages and have been advising their followers that the only proper marriage is that contracted in their Church. They are entirely mistaken in this matter. It is very desirable that these facts should be known by Maoris in order that such practices should be put a stop to. These remarks were made by His Honour, Mr Justice McGregor, at the Wanganui Supremo Court yesterday, when he ordered Hori Turra to come up for sentence within two years if called upon. Turra was, the previous day, found guilty on a charge of bigamy. Mr N. R. Bain, counsel for accused, stated that Turra was a hard working native of good character. So far as counsel knew the case was the first of its kind against a Maori. According to Maori custom accused could have lived with his second wife and nothing would have been done. His marriage was really forced upon him by another person. Mr W. A. Izard, Crown Prosecutor asked that part of the expenses, which amounted to £67 17s Od, be borne by accused. In sentencing prisoner, His Honour said he was satisfied accused know that his first wife was alive, although, being a Maori, he did not realise the seriousness of the offence. It was plain that accused was under the influence of some other person or persons who induced him to go through the second form of marriage. The evidence traversed in regard to these persons was not quite convincing, otherwise they would have been brought up before the Court.

Accused was ordered to pay £2O towards the cost of the prosecution.