Mau Chief Seeks Seat
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
On Court Bench
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, August 27.
TN the case arising from an affray during -*■ a church consecration at Falefa vil lage, East Upolu, on June 19, Tapa, a Samoan, was accused of having killed an other Samoan, during a general fight.
Chief Judge Watson and a jury of four assessors found him guilty of manslaught er, and he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, with hard labour.
An interesting incident took place in Court during the trial. An Apia Mau leader rose and asked to be allowed to sit with the Judge on the case—the appoint ment of a Samoan Judge to sit with the N.Z. magistrate on cases affecting Samoan natives was one of the demands of the Mau submitted to the “Goodwill” Mission.
The Judge courteously declined the offer of Chief Tagaloa, pointing out that the accused was defended by counsel and any thing of importance should be pleaded in Court through the counsel for the defence.
M iss Dorothy Blake, a worker for the New Guinea Mission at Doubina, Papua, recently arrived in Australia to spend annual leave.
M. Manuel Bosch Boret, a Spanish judge, arrived at Vila, New Hebrides, by the Van Rees on August 6 to take up duties as President of the Joint Court of the Condominium.