Another Impecunious Footballer.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 463, 5 June 1890, Page 3

Another Impecunious Footballer.

LIABILITY OF A NATIVE. It was generally whispered that the recent tour of native footballers to the old country had been a fine speculation for those who had a good nay in the matter, but first we had Jimmy Scott going “ cronk ” and now we have a queer case concerning Warbrick. We take the following report from the Auckland Herald:—A feed Packets Warbrick, the wellknown Rotorua guide, was charged with having failed to comply with an order of the Court that he should maintain his wife and children. Mr Cooper, who appeared for the defendant, said he would contend that the order could not be enforced against a native ; but he asked that before arguing that point, the evidence of the defendant should be beard. Warbrick was accordingly called, and deposed that he was a half-caste, belonging to the Arawa tribe. He went home with the Maori team of footballers wbo visited England. He had instructed his partner to give his wife money during witness’ absence from the colony, but he had given her only £5. Since witness returned, in August last, business had not been flourishing. Witness admitted that he had not seen his wife for years before he saw her in Court that day, and that he was living with a Maori woman. He was examined at some length as to his means, and said he could get no work at his trade as a shipbuilder. He had certainly visited Auckland during the Jubilee celebrations, but as the guide of some tourists, who paid his expenses. The land owned by him and the woman living with him was native laud, and they could not sell it. He did not own racehorses; he had one or two horses for business purposes. Mr Stra hern, visiting officer of the Hospital and Chari fable Aid Board, deposed that he had seen Warbrick at Rotorua on the 29th of October last, year, and spoke to him about his means. Defendant then said to witness that he was earning from £2OO to £3OO a year. Warbrick was the chief guide at Rotorua, and a great man. He lived in the chief wharpin the place, and had a comfortable home. Warbrick had travelled first-class when on his way to Auckland in January last, and when witness spoke to him about it be replied that he always did so. Warbrick had always upheld the character of his wife, and admitted bis own faults. The case was adjourned until Saturday, when the liability of the defendant as a native will be argued.