CHARGE DISMISSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20075, 23 October 1939, Page 5

CHARGE DISMISSED

NORTH CLYDE INCIDENT DOMESTIC QUARREL SEQUEL IN COURT (S|icii:il lo tin’ lli’inM.) WAIROA, this day. Arising out of a domestic quarrel in a house in North Clyde on Friday, a Maori. Parone Whakatoko. alias Tehema Takarore, aged 51. appeared before Messrs. V. E. Winter and J. Corkill, J.P.'s. in the Police Court on Saturday, charged with assaulting Jack Puna.

Tiie accused, who was represented by Mr. C. R, Sainsbnry, pleaded not guilty. The case was conducted by Sergeant D. Clark.

In evidence. Puna said that on Friday evening he had a quarrel with his wife, witness restraining his wife when she tried to run out of the house. His wife called out tor assistance. and some people came in and endeavoured to patch up the argument. After the argument had been settled, the accused came into witness's house and threatened to strike Puna. The latter told Takarore io leave the house, but Takarore would not do so and struck witness in the eye. Witness fell on to a bed and Takarore followed up his advantage, but Puna eventually got the better of him and the quarrel ceased.

To Mr. Sainsbnry. witness denied that, during his quarrel with his wife, he had struck her; he said he was not even trying to hit her.

Sergeant Clark said that when the accused was brought into the station he admitted hitting Puna, and, answering Mr. Sainsbnry. said that a person was looking for trouble wheii interfering in family quarrels. He nad never heard complaints about Puna assaulting his wife.

Stating that his client was in a bad state of health and could not be cade;! to give evidence. Mr. Sainsbnry said that he would be agreeable to plead guilty to a technical offence of assault. The offence was not a serious one and could be dismissed under the Justices of Ihe Peace Act.

'For the defence. Ben I-lorua said that he heard Mrs. Puna calling for help, and, with his wife and the accused, had gone to Pima’s place. Puna had attempted to hit his wife, and the accused had intervened and pushed him away. Commenting that the accused had acted on impulse, the Bench dismissed the charge under Section 92 of the Justices of the Peace Act.