Maori Fined £10 For Assault

Chronicle (Levin), 5 March 1948, Page 2

Maori Fined £10 For Assault

• At the Otaki Cou'rt on Thursday, before Messrs., H. Nicolson and F. H. •- Critchley, J.P's., a native, Potuaka Poutama, was fined £10 for assaulting Winifred Jarman, and was ordeyed to pay £5 costs for personal injuries. Poutama did not appear. , . ^ It was « stated by complamant that some time ago a contract was entered into over which a dispute; arose, and in consequence. although no provocation had been given, he, was struck by Poutama and knocked down. IHe endeavoured to walk past Poutama, but was agairi struck and knocked down, suffering slight concussion. To the police complaina,nt said that no mention was made of a fight. As a result bf the occurrence he had received severe injuries, and had to be attended by a doctor. This was supported by a letter from the doctor. Constable W. Calwell stated that he was consulted 'hy complainant, who was suffering from several injuries, including a mark on the nose/ a cut over tlie eye and bruises to his f ace. -He had seen the defendant, who had admitted striking Jarman, due to an argument over a debt. By the state- 5 ment made he pleaded guilty. Motorist Fined , Crossing ihe railway line at Mackay's crossing when a train was approaching cost Henry Maishall,' who did not appear, £3, with, 10s costs. : ; • ; Xt was stated by Inspector Dog.get that on the day,in questioh he was at the crossing; when the. defendant crossed the line in front of an approaching train, despite the fact that the lights were working and the engine-driver had sounded his whistle. Defendant, ,on being questioned, had stated that he took precautions but had not seen the iights working, or heard tlie apppoach of the train. A solicitor's letter stated that defendant had been driving for a number of years, and had never before been charged with any qffence. Civil Cases L. Gallyer was order }- to pay Edwards' Hardwar-e . $tore itHe sum of £2 13s. 1 ?-'.n JT; „rf