SERIOUS CHARGES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 7 November 1939, Page 3

SERIOUS CHARGES

FOUR INFORMATIONS

RANGITUKIA INCIDENT

COAST MAORI ON TRIAL

The trial began this morning of a Maori farm labourer, Jack Manuel, aged 29, Rangitukia, who appeared before Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court on four charges of unlawful carnal knowledge in respect of a Maori girl aged 15 years. The offences were alleged to have been committed at. Rangitukia on or about February 19, March 29, May 8 and May 26. The prosecution was conducted by the Crown prosecutor, Mr. F. Wrcy Nolan, and Mr. A. A. Whitehead represented the accused, who pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The following jury was empanelled: Stanley Edward Grant, foreman, Albert Siriett. William Baldwin Turbitt, Robert Muirhcad Macinnes. James Smethurst, Thomas Crosby. James Albert Vagg, Brook Power, George Claude Corbett. Robert Andrew, Richard Frank Brett, and John Francis Melvin. Mr. Nolan outlined the evidence to be given by the 12 witnesses for the Crown.

Dr. Edward Charles Grant. Te Puia. said he examined the girl on August 19 and found her to be in a certain condition.

A Rangitukia farmer, Hirioki Taengaere, said he was the father of tiie girl, who was born on October 15, 1923. Under cross-examination the witness said he had taken a fatherly interest in the manner in which Manuel and his wife had brought up the girl. Mrs. Tniti Kanuta said that after a meeting at Rangitukia on March 29 she and Mrs. Parekura had gone to Manuel's house. The accused and the girl had their beds together on tho floor of the kitchen. To Mr. Whitehead, the witness said that it was the custom to sleep in groups on mattresses in order to make tho best use of the blankets, and it did not matter a great deal who slept in those groups. She had not seen the accused sleeping with the girl and luid noticed nothing wrong with his conduct.

Mrs. Tuku Parekura, Hicks Bay, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness concerning the events on March 29. She could see into the kitchen when she went to bed and noticed that Manuel got into bed alongside the young girl. Two days later the witness wanted to take the girl away with her. but Manuel disagreed because he did not want her to go away from him. The girl wanted lo leave the house. On March 30 Manuel’s wife returned home and the family slept in different rooms. : Proceeding)