Maoris and the Dog Tax.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 442, 17 April 1890, Page 2

Maoris and the Dog Tax.

The Maori has always been found to be fonder of his kuri than be is of paying the cost of its registration, and on Tuesday three young fellows were selected to be made an example of for the benefit of their fellowewho are to put Sydney Taiwhanga’s doctrines in practice. The first one charged (named Wahanui) admitted that Mr Thelwall had given him a collar with the understanding that his dog would not be registered until the collar wae paid for, and that he would have to pay double if he did not make good the fee before the end of March. The young fellow looked rather sheepish in the position in which he was placed, and at one point said he felt sick, but Mr Booth was very patient, and the defendant finally admitted everything Mr Thelwall had said, urging as his only excuse that he had not the money at the time. He was fined a shilling and costs. Mr Kenny, counsel for the plaintiff, said he would not press for more than 10s 6d. The whole amount came to £ll7s 6d, which a native named Pitau came forward and smilingly paid. Mr Booth pointed out to the defendant the expense he had incurred, and said he had better go and thank Pita; had he got a friend to assist him at first it would only have cost him five shillings. The next case was against Pora Keiha, who tripped forward as if he very much enjoyed the proceedings. He at once confessed judgment, and it appeared that he had proposed paying that morning, and said he was waiting for Captain Tucker to come down. When asked why he had not paid before he answered by showing his neat set of white teeth and smiling as if the question were a good joke. Defendant did not seem at all td mind having to pay extra for the satisfaction of putting the tax collector about. His costs amounted to £llos for two dogs. Puku Paraone followed and there was shown to be a wonderful similarity between this and the previous case. But Puku’s smile and jaunty air lacked naturalness, and the defendant would evidently have sooner been miles away than engaged in his mission as a defaulter. Still he took his “ gruel ” complaisantly—to the tune of £3 3s (5 dogs)—and said he would pay directly Mr Barker came into town. Its pretty certain that all Ttiwhanga’a advice won’t induce Puku to get into another such fix.