MAORIS ATTACK TAXI DRIVER

Chronicle (Levin), 24 May 1946, Page 7

MAORIS ATTACK TAXI DRIVER

ACCKLANJ), May 23. The story of the robbtyy of a. ta-xi ilriver at Mangcxe 011 the-night- of May2,"was tohi whe'n three MabTis- appeared before Mr. F. 11. Levien, WAI. George Williams,' labourer, aged 17, Abruham ilauuera, labourcr, aged 18,iad Williaui Broughtoiij* i'armhand, aged 22, were joiutly- eharged ivith robbiug Williaui John Hcnry Wlii-te-sirle of £20, a wallet, -driving licence and arniy rcgistration card, of a total \alue oi'* £20 15s, aud with using personal violcuce. Tliey w exe-also eharged with the tlicft of a lyatchj-. jackct- and slxoes, of a total value of J12U, the projierty of Thonias Wlrephofd. Oue cliarge of unlawfui conversion of a motor car valued at. £185, and two I'liarges of unlawfui conversion of bicydes of a lolal value of £25, were also prefcrred against Ihe accused. Broughtoxi also faced two separat(; charges of unlawfui conversion of uiotor cycles of a total value of £150, and oue cliarge of tlicft of clothing valued at £2. Williams was also eharged with the theft of an ovcrcoat valued at £3. The taxi driver, Williaui Jolin lleury Whitesido, said that at about 7.45 p.tn. on May 2 he foilnd three Maoris sitting in his car, two iu the back and oue in front. Wi'tness drove to^xiix isolatcd part of Mangere near- a market garden where he thought tlie Maoris Xvaiited to go and pai'ked near a liouse. Two of the Maoris went behind-the car aud Williams reiuained in the front seat. As witness turned around expccting oue of thc two Maoris to pay the faro, he felt soinethiug pressiug into his sidc. At thc saine tinxe Williams said "Take it easy. ' ' "1 put my hand dowxx .to see what was pressiug against my side aud fouud it was a knifc, as 1 eut xpy liaud on it," said witness. "Broughton cliiubed into tlie back seat and, placing his hand around .my neck,.. dragged me over." Broughton eontinued to strangle liim aud souieoue asked for his wallet. Witness said he handed.it over. As Williams leancd over from the front and puiiched him Broughton eut led out, "Hand me that knifc." In the struggle which ensued, witness iuanaged to grasp it and break the' blado. His assailauts rau away aud witness went into the house. Detective Cromwell said he saw the. three accused riding bicycles. througli Xew Market. ■Broughton rau away but was later t'ound ixx a vacunt section. Wh.cn searclied Williaiiis ■and Manixera eavh had £2 in his ppssessibn, and Broughton had £1G. Their clothing was hloodstained. In .written statements accused had adinitted tlie attack and tlieft of the bicycles which they took after the.y"lcft tlie taxi. Tlioy had also admitted' all the other offencbs. with which- tliey were eharged. Accused pieaded guilty . and wero coxnmitted to the yupremeP Oohrt for sentence. . . , - ' .