MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2046, 5 April 1907, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THEFT AT TE ARAI. Francis Hodgson appeared before Jlr. Barton, S.JL, yesterday afternoon, on a remanded -charge of stealing the sum of £4 12s 4d, from his employer, George Smithies, at Te Arai.

George Smithies, manager for the Spiral Steel Co., deposed that it was accused’s duty sometimes to pay the men at the works, and on the 14tli March, witness gave £3 Is 4d to accused to pay to an employee named Crawford. Witness asked if he had paid Crawford and was told that he had the amount in his pocket. AA’itness said that he had better return the money; then accused said that the money was paid. Thereupon witness asked why the wages book was not. signed. Accused replied that lie paid Crawford on the works and that lie did not think a receipt necessary. Their conversation ended with that as a cue uecdsseawdscinfwymcl'wym as accused was not sober and went to sleep. Later on, Air.- Smithies rerepented his questions and then accused said he had left the money with Daulton. a storekeeper. AVitnesß then asked him to account for a sum of £3 obtained from the Borough Council and accused handed him £1 9s, and explained that the difference was a personal matter between himself and witness: the latter contradicted this. Accused was authorised to collect the money from the Council and it should have been given to witness. By accused: Crawford’s money was locked in witness’ portmanteau by accused. That afternoon accused went to town and left a letter stating that the money was left in the portmanteau and where the key was left. Out of t-lie £3 received from the Borough Council witness instructed accused to pay Humphreys 10s. R. D. B. Robinson, town clerk, said that he paid Hodgson the sum of £3 and produced the receipt. The previous witness (recalled), identified the writing as accused’s. This was all the evidence and accused in a statement said that lie had no money in his pocket except liis wages, when he went to town and that if he had taken the money he would not have left the letter. His Worship said ho was perfectly satisfied' that the accused was guilty. He had made various inconsistent statements to Air. Smithies. Accused was remanded until this morning for the report of the probation officer.

A NATIVE GATHERING. TE AUTE OLD jBOYS’ ASSOCIATE annual conference of the To Auto Old Boys.’ Association was opened at Awapum yesterday. Iho nioni ing was dovoted to paying a tubut to tho lato Archdeacon Samuel MilHams, a report of tho proceedings appearing olsowliero. 1 After lunch tho conference was C ° G roc tings were received from twelve old 'collegs boys at present in Dunedin, including lutore Who is house surgeon at the “ ofe prtah Mr. Thornton moved that the itov. A. Williams should take tlm The late Archdeacon would like Ai.it one of his relations should take his place; and Mr Williams was specially fitted for the position because of his intimate knowledge of the Maori character and language.—l he motion was seconded and earned. . i The Rev. Williams returned thanks Mrwfhornton said thoy had hoped that more Maoris could have come from Hawke’s Bay, to show their respect for the late Archdeacon, lhc conference would therefore only be a local one. They had not met to be taught by the I’akcha, but they me to ascertain tho real opinion ol the Maori people on matters affecting their welfare. The Maoris should not sit still and let the Pa'kehas do all tho talking, but all should speak so that they (the pakelias).could find out exactly what the Maoris thought on all subjects. He apologised ror the absence of Mr. A. T. A gat a, M.li.R. He had wanted to come but was too busy, and even bad not tune to write a paper he had wished to send. A movement similar, to the Te Auto Old Boys’ Association had been started in Auckland, and this Association wised to join the Ic Ante Association. After conference with the Archdeacon and Mr. Ngata it M’as thought advisable not to consider amalgamation. ~ , Tlie following motion was tabled : That this conference urges upon all the native tribes in New Zealand the importance of cultivating tlieir lands, for their existence is intimately bound up in their becoming an industrious people.—Wi Paranc. MATE MAORI. Tutere Wi Repa, house surgeon at the Dunedin hospital, contributed a paper on “Mato Maori. In beginning the paper the writer said tilat there was absolutely no ill which Maoris were liable to which were not curable by European medicines. Mate Maori was the name given by the Maoris to diseases which they thought were brought on by witchcraft and M’liich they held to be incurable by European medicine. He knew what the Maoris thought, but since he had studied the question he knew they were wrong- Many Maoris started being treated by European doctors. They became impatient at their slow progress and went to t-ohungas. The tohungas failed to cure them and they went again to the European doctors; but it was often too late and the latter could do no good. The Maoris thought mate-maori -was brought oil by interfering with tapu articles or disregarding the instructions of tohungas. Maoris called influenza and typhoid fever .mate-maori— in fact they called all illnesses which caused delirium by that name. It M-as generally recognised that consumption was curable if treated in the earliest stages. The paper concluded by again explaining that all diseases of Maoris could be cured by pakoha doctors. A number of Maoris spoke on the subject and the balance of opinion Mas ill , favor of the writer’s contentions. The tea adjournment was then taken. On resuming at 7.30 p.m., the annual report of the Gisborne branch of the Association was received. Papers on “The Decline of the Faith” and “Church Problems” were read and discussed and the matter of advancing money to Maoris wishing to farm their lands M-as also thoroughly gone into. This morning the conference will observe the working of the kindergarten school and papers by AVi Paraire and the Rev. F. AA 7 . Chatterton will be read and discussed. In the afternoon Mr. Koliere’s paper on the question of domestic service will be considered, and in the evening tlie matter of -revising the constitution of the Association will be dealt with.

OUTER HARBOR.

• A meeting of the Committee formed to watch the progress of the outer harbor scheme met yesterday, Mr. AV. L. Rees in the chair, and only nine other members present. The Chairman detailed what the sub-com-mittee appointed to wait on Jlr. Townley had done, and read Mr. Townley’s replies (already published in these columns) to the tu-o questions submitted to him. Mr. Rees said that they would notice that the answers were not definite; the first question was answered in a way that meant nothing, and the second answer meant increased expenditure in the river. It ivas useless to think that the river could cope with the trade of the district, and any storm that may happen might mean that tu-o or three steamers would pass by, thus disorganising the mails and trade of the port. AVliat 1 was wanted Mas a port that would accommodate the larger steamers at any time. Mr. Townley seemed to think that tlie plan submitted by Mr. Merchant were not sufficient to put before Parliament to get an Enabling Bill passed, but this was nonsense. Parliament did not require all the details, and could not insist on all the details being adhered to. The Standing Orders of both Houses were the same in regard to the introduction of local Bills, and all that was wanted w-as the outline of tlie scheme and the total amount to be spent upon it. If the Bill M-as not proceeded with before the Consulting Engineer’s report arrived, a year at least u-ould be lost . Jlr. A. Forde Matthews said he thoroughly agreed that no time should be lost. The final appeal was with the people, and they should avoid delay. The Chairman: Would it not be advisable to call a public meeting?' Mr. AV. L. Clayton said that no doubt a public meeting u-ould have to be called later on, for it u"as useless for people to say we are unanimous on tlie question of getting an outer harbor, ’ and then do nothing. The jiublic u-puld have to take an active interest in the matter; but before calling a public meeting it Mould bo as well to disabuse Jlr. Tou-nley’s mind of the thought that, the complete details bad to be laid before Parliament. He would move that the Chairman wait upon Jlr. Townloy and explain-to him that the full details of the scheme were not necessary to tlie passing of the Bill. Jlr. Townley had given cautious replies ; but caution was justifiable under the circumstances. AA’lien the matters lie had mentioned were explained Jlr. Townley might fall in with their views. If lie did not, then a jniblic meeting could be called, and they should show that they were in earnest.

Air. AVobb thought that a public meeting should be called at once and Mr. Townley could then make his position clear from the platform.

The Chairman: That would he rather a declaration of war against Air Townley. Air. AA’ebb: It would he no declaration of war, but if we have to go to war we would know what Air. Townley means. Air. Clayton thought it would he better to have a clear understanding with Mr. Townley first. Mr. Matthews said Air. Townley was a busy man who devoted a large portion of his time to the public, and they should show him common courtesy. He thought the Chairman could make it clear to him that they did not need to have the scheme approved before submitting it to Parliament. He would second Air. Clayton’s motion. The motion was carried unanimously. The Chairman said be had a meeting with the combined local bodies that afternoon, and it was his desire that as the harbor scheme formed part of the larger scheme which he was to discuss with the local bodies, it should be contained in the same Bill. Air. Connell asked whether it was intended to submit two schemes at once. The Chairman had a scheme which he said he would like to have embodied. If that were so, there was not the slightest chance for the Bill getting through the House. There ware two opposing - schemes, and it would be a pity to saddle the scheme which the Committee bad met to support with such ail incubus. - The Chairman said that though be thought- the Bill should include the larger scheme he would not' insist upon it. So far as this Committee was concerned they were there to further the outer harbor. After some' further discussion the meeting adjourned until the. Chairman had interviewed Air. Townley, when he would, he said, call them together again'.

THE LATE ARCHDEACON WIL, LIAMS.

A MAORI TRIBUTE. Before tho commencement of the conference of tho Te Auto Old Boys’ Association at Awapum yesterday morning a tribute was paid to the memory of the late Archdeacon Sam-"tf’tr-A. Williams, Mr, N. S. Williams and Mr. Thornton master of To Auto College) at Awapum a little after 10 o clock and they wore welcomed by a dance by the children of the pa. A por-ci-ait of the late Archdeacon was placed on a mat near tlie meeting house. In front of this the European visitors seated themselves, and behind it tile Maoris of the pa and visiting natives took up tlieir position. A tangi was then held. All the chief natives ot tlie district made speeches of welcome and speeches eulogistic of the la-te Archdeacon, and speeches were also made by the younger old students at Te Aute College. All the ancient laments usually given at the death of a chief were gone through and in addition the hymn, “AVlien the bead is bowed down, was sung in Maori. After the Maori proceedings had closed Mr. N. b. Williams made a few remarks. Ho referred to the life works and death of the late Archdeacon, and said that the descendants could hardly hope to inherit characters as strong as his. There could be no doubt that? the_ deceased gentleman had been tlie father of the Maori race and the Maori Church and tlieir best adviser. His children could never hope to be like him but they would endeavor to follow in his steps as far as possible and they would try to maintain what the Archdeacon, during his life, Had said they came there that day with sad faces and hearts full of grief, yet they came with Madness because they felt the Awapuni Maoris would sympathise with them. All of tlieir hearts were fu of the same feeling—they were all grieving over a very great loss. The .Maoris generally had lost tlieir best friend, and personally he had lost his best friend—they had all lost a father. They had lost 1 ono to whom they could always go for sympathy and advice. They had lost one whose heart was always open to the trials, sorrows and troubles of oners. , -111 there bemoaned the loss of the late Archdeacon, but while, they mourned for themselves they did not mourn for the Archdeacon —he had done the work God had provided for him and now gone to his well-earned rest. They asked themselves how they should show their appreciation of all the good he had done, how they could show they respected and valued his many works. Should a monument be built ? If they asked the Archdeacon what they should do to show 1 heir veneration for him, what would he say? He would say: ‘Walk in the paths that I did —do the work I did.” There was no better manner of showing their appreon earth and it Mould gladden lm earth and i twould gladden his heart in Heaven to know'that the Maoris Mere following in Ins foot;teps. Tlie best indication of veneration Mould be for the Maoris to tarry out the work started by the Archdeacon and try in every way to . improve the race. When the ie Ante Students’ Association ' was mentioned they must all feel that the Archdeacon M-as u-itli them, the meeting would be a sad one in that they would miss him who had so often presided at similar meetings; but he would bo present in spirit and would encourage members to do the ,-ork he left unfinished. It M'as not for him (the speaker) to speak of the good the Archdeacon had done everywhere; but if there was one love stronger than another in his heart it Mas the love of the Jlaori rfce. It Mas hoped that ,tlie students’ association would carry on ‘.lie work he had so near to liis heart.’ F,• ten years the association and held meeting in various parts of the colony. Tlie object of the Association. generally sneaking. Mas to crush dou*n everything evil and en- to courage everything -good for the race. He hoped that all the Jlaoris there present would become members of the Association and help it to carry out its object; so that -while they rejoiced that the Archdeacon had been granted rest from his labours they hoped with the help of God to carry on those labors. The Rev. A. Williams said if they could call the Archdeacon back to life they Mould not —he had not finished his uork but lie was an old man and could do no more. The Archdeacon’s father and liis brother were among the first Jlaori missionaries, and they bbth had sons who had taken their places; and their descendants u-ould endeavor to take their places in turn. The Archdeacon had received tlie core of the Maori people from his father as a sacred trust and lie bad handed tlie trust over to bis soil. The Archdeacon had supported a number of missionaries, both Maori and European, and liis last words u-ere to the effect that this work should be continued. The best u-ay to show their appreciation and veneration u-as to folloM- in liis steps. At the conference in the afternoon tlie following motion was moved by Rape Kinilia : —That this conference wishes to place on record its sense of tlie irreparable loss tlie whole Jlaori race has sustained by the death of the A 7 en. Archdeacon Williams, udio to the end of liis life devoted his energies to the furthering of everything that tended to the M-elfare of tlie Maori people, and especially to helping forward in every u-ay the works of this Association. While keeping in memory his noble and unselfish life ,it * trusts that every" member of tlie Association may be inspired to follou- his example. It uishes also to convey to tlie members of bis familv its sincere sympathy with them in their great bereavement.—The motion was ■arr'ed in silence.