Bush justice

Prom a Honiara correspondent A certain gentleman on the Guadalcanal weather coast was believed by his chief to have committed custom incest (i.e., married within his line) and he fined him.

He refused to pay up, so the chief reported the matter to the local native court. They told the villain of the story to appear before them, but instead he took to the bush with the young lady concerned. The court clerk traced him and again told him to appear before the court.

Again he and the young lady took to the bush.

Eventually the native court itself, comprising the clerk, the president and two members, went off after him. But the miscreant insisted that the chief had no power to fine him. On the advice of the court clerk, the president and clerk threw the man to the ground, and having removed his wooden leg to prevent any further sudden departures, commenced the hearing on the spot.

The grieved party then brought a case in the Magistrate’s Court of assault against the native court officials. The magistrate found that they had exceeded their authority in de-legging him, and fined the members of the court.

The native court members then appealed to the High Court, which has just granted their appeal, taking the view that they had acted with the best of motives.