S.M. Probes Into Tussle With Constable

Chronicle (Levin), 9 April 1949, Page 7

S.M. Probes Into Tussle With Constable

AUCKLAND, April S. » A searching probe into how a big built Maori got a black eye in a scuffie with a policeman in the wharf station ' 1 muster room" last night, was condueted by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., m the Auckland Magistrate 's Court today. ' ' Unf ortunately there has been a lot of talk and complaints eoneerning tne eonduct of a member of the police force and one would be very sorry to think the police were not acting as the poiice force should, " said Mr. Luxford, aiter hearing evidence. He then fined the man Wilkie Cainpbell, aged 27, labourer, 10s for drunkenness and admitted him to 12 moncns' probation. Constable P. S. McHugh said m evidence that a bottle of wine had beeii taken from aceused for his own safety. Witness had four buttons torn from his tunic. "How did he get that black eye?" asked the Magistrate. "While he was scrapping with me," said the constable. Accused: You gave me a left uppercut with the left hand. Constable N. Smith said he saw the Maori with a grip on McHugh/'s tunic and struggling. The men were fightihg on a table. Accused was drunk and in . a surly mood. Sergeant E. Hothan, who. helped to take accused to the police station, said that when he returned he saw an upturned chair and accused had a "siight injury" to the eye. Campbell was saying he would "get" McHugh. iCampbell said he was not drunk. He had been drinking with two navai ratings from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. He was p&shed down on to a chair in the police station and he then took hold of tne constable 's tunic. A fight started after he had the wine taken from him. He wanted to go home as he was not drunk. The Magistrate said that in tliis case it was quite clear Campbell was drunk and ' ' lost his head. ' ' The constaDle had to defend himself and keep. Campbell in custody. "I think tne constable gave him a fairly solid punch but having regard to all the circumstances, I cannot see that he used more force than necessary. "