ASSAULT BY MAORIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 315, 16 January 1902, Page 3

ASSAULT BY MAORIS.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday two young natives, Matahaero and Kapuaroa, were charged with assaulting Frank Dean, aged 18, at Matawhero. Mr .Jones appeared for the first defendant and Mr Lysnar for the socond. Sergeant Siddells prosecuted. Evidence was given by Dr. Craig as to tho condition of Dean when admitted to the Hospital. He had a wound II inches long on the back of his hoad, his face was tremendously swollen, his left hand was greatly swollen, ho was in a dazed condition, and patient suffered very great pain. Frank Dean, employed by Mr Zenker, blacksmith, doposed ho had been sent to the Maori camp. He got off his horse on the road to fix the bit up, when Matahaore and a native boy came up and tried to trip him and throw him over. Witness let his horse go and ran away, and Matahaore got on his horse and tried to follow him. Witnoss hid behind the blacksmith’s shop for half-an-hour, being afraid of the native, and subsequently made for his homo at To Arai. Tlioro were a lot of Maoris in front of tho hotel, and when they saw him tho two • accused and two or three others got on to their horses and galloped after him. Witness slipped down the bank of the river and went through Mr Clark’s property, Matahaero, Charles Scudamore, and another following him. They got off their horses and chased him on foot. Witness was by this time exhausted. Scudamore prevented tho others from hitting him, and asked what was the matter. Matahaere said witness had been swearing at him, which was not true. Scudamore said tho Native would not hit him and they shook hands. They then returned r*to their horses and the road. Accused galloped ahead, and ten chains away pulled up. Witnoss was sitting behind Matahaero on bis horse. Kapuroa got off

his horse and came towards him. Matahaore told him to get off, which he did, and he then tripped him over and hit him with his fist and kicked him on the head. Kapuroa stood by whilst Matahaore comr : ":ed tho assault. The accused galloped v and witness got up but fell down again, being dazed. He had nover spoken to accused previously, and had given them qo provocation. Ho thought accused had had some drink.—The cross-examination was to show _ •/ Doan had offended the •uMnoris by r /. ,-iing past and swearing at the j.— was also given by No: man . C. Scudamore, Westrup, at Detective Nixon.—Westrup stated th both accused, on returning to the h'oi.ol, stated that they had assaulted the pakoha, and Kapuroa said he did not know whether he was dead or alive now ; he might be dead.—After further evidence Matahaore was committed for trial, and Kapuroa was released.