MAORIS OFFEND

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21421, 15 May 1941, Page 9

MAORIS OFFEND

TANGI HELD ILLEGALLY PROSECUTION IN NORTH FATHER S REQUEST FAILS (By Telegraph.—Press Associations WHANGAREI, Wednesday In the Rawene Court Brown Yvaipouri, a Maori, of Hokianga, was enarged with holding a tangi whicn had oeen prohibited by the medical officer of health. Messrs R. Raiiley and A. E. Andrewes, J’s. P., imposed a fine of £lO. “The Maoris apparently do not realise the seriousness of tnis charge, but the fine in this charge alone could be £200,” said the justices. Inspector J. Eox said the medical officer of health, Dr. Dempster, had prohibited public functions such as huis and tangis. In addition, written notice was sent to Maori councillors in ffie north, including the defendant. On April 29 one of Waipouri's daughters died, and a second daughter died on the following day. The bodies were taken to the meetinghouse at Pawarenga, one being buried on May 1 and the other on May 2. One body was not in a coffin, the inspector stated, and this was a breach of the law, but Waipouri was not charged with that offence. It was understood that there was not sufficient wood to make the second coffin. A gathering of about 50 Maoris of both sexes attended the tangi, and Constable McNutt warned Waipouri that the tangi should be terminated so that the people could return to their own settlements. In a statement made to the police, added Mr Fox, Waipouri said that after seeing Constable McNutt he endeavoured to send the people away, but they insisted upon carry- j ing out the Maori custom of staying with the dead. All the people at the hui could have been prosecuted, and it was not known yet whether this step would be taken by the police or not.