ASSAULT AT MAKARAKA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1955, 11 December 1906, Page 3

ASSAULT AT MAKARAKA

A large attendance of curious pooplo filled the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning to hear the case against John Johan, who was brought before Mr Barton, 8.M., charged with creating a disturbance at Makaraka, aod as* saulting his wife. Mr W. L. Rees appeared for defendant. Defendant, who is a Greek married to a woman of the Romany class, is a short, thick-set individual, who speaks but poor English and is most polite in his gestures—a common enough type. His wife, who appeared in Court with a child in her arms, is a Romany. These people have been confused with the gipsies said to have landed in Wellington some weeks ago, but obviously there can be no connection, as Johan and his wife have been in the Hawke’s Bay district a great number of years, and have resided at Clive, near Napier, for a considerable time.

Counsel informed His Worship that the quarrel was only an ordinary one between husband and wife. They had been married 20 years, and only on one other occasion had they quarrelled. Hffi wife would give evidence to this effect, as she spoke good English. Amelia Johan, wife of defendant, then went into the box, and said that they arrived in iakaraka on Saturday last. Her husband was looking for a dray to shift their things, and went and had several glasses of beer. Witness was trying to cook the dinner, but her baby was cross, and she could not get on very well. I efendant came home and asked if his dinner was ready. Witness then told her husband that he shouldn’t drink so much, swore at him in Romany, and hit him with a stick. Defendant then hit her and pushed her down. In reply to His Worship as to whether she was hurt, witness replied, “ Oh, no fear; I’m alright,” adding at the same time that she also had a glass of tear.

Mr Barton : Six of one and half a dozen of the other ?

Witness; Only one. They had been married twenty years and her husband had only once laid his hand on her, but had never hurt her ; she had not informed the police. Cedric Wright, living at Makaraka, gave evidence on behalf of tli9 police, stating ho saw th 9 woman struck in the face. Witness v/a3 eventually asked to go for a policeman. His Worship admonished the defendant, stating that even if his wife did strike him or use bad language, it was no reason why he should assault her. Sergeant Williams said defendant had received a month in Napier for an offence of tho same nature.

Bis Worship after lecturing defendant fined him £1 and cost?, or four days’ imprisonment. Defendant asked for time, and was

profuse in his thanks, repeating many times, Thank you, Mr Magistrate.”