ASSAULT CHARGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 88, 15 November 1939, Page 5

ASSAULT CHARGE

MAORI PLEADS GUILTY « HIT WIFE ON EAR Appearing before Messrs G. A. Brabant and F. Prideaux, J.P.'s in the Police Court on Monday morning, Peter Wano, native labourer, aged 28, pleaded guilty to a charge that on the 11th day of November he did assault one Teau Wano. Prosecuting, Constable F. M. Fuller said that '>n Saturday, November 11, accused came to town and had a few liquors and they caused him to behave differently from his usual habits. In the afternoon and evening he had some squabbles with his wife, who was also in town. In the evening the couple went to the wife's father's house where another argument occurred and Wano hit his wife on the ear. Someone rang the police, said Con stable Fuller, and advised a serious case of assault at Paroa. He communicated Avith Dr Appleby and proceeded to Paroa.. Dr Appleby found that Mrs Wano was not hurt and that the fainting condition she was in was caused by other things.

"I arrested the accused," continued Constable Fuller, "but before leaving the house, his wife requested his early return as she wished him to be present for a religious ceremony that was to be held for their child. His wife is alright and is not laying a complaint. The constable stated further that the accused had been before the court several times on charges of breaches of his prohibition order and that a charge is pending in regard to last Saturday morning, when he procured liquor. "The accused," said Constsable Fuller, "is a good worker and a very decent sort of fellow when he has no drink." "You will 'be getting off light, this time," said Mr Brabant, in ordering accused to pay the doctor's fee of £1 Is and doctor's travelling expenses of 10s 6d. "Your wife is the best friend you've got,, Wano. See that you look after your wife." Accused was allowed 14 days in which to pay.