TURBULENCE IN FAR NORTH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 November 1924, Page 9

TURBULENCE IN FAR NORTH.

FOREIGN SAILORS FIGHT. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ' _ . WHANGAREiI, Nov. 13. Details of the violent fracas in the Motatau district vary in several respects from those first reported yesterday to- the police. A medical man returned late last night after a strenuous journey, involving a twelve mile ride from Motatau station to the scene of the- combat, situated in dense bush. The men concerned, are Portugese, Johii Grapani and Desidero Diaz, formerly sailors on the vessel Cecilia Sudden, burned near the Great Barrier about three years ago. They took up residence later with the Maoris, Diaz marrying a Maori woman. Diaz stated to the police that Grapani returned to the whare in an intoxicated state on Tuesday night, seized an a,Xe and threatened to kill 'Diaz and his wife. Grapani struck a ferocious blow at Diaz, clipping off part of one ear and inflicting minor flesh wounds on the chest. Diaz grappled with his assailant, wresting the axe from him-. He then picked up a heavy rata stick and struck Grapani four times oil the head, fracturing his skull arid rendering him uneonscous. Diaz then proceedd to tie up Grapani and left him lying outside during the. night. Grapani freed himself from his bonds and crawled back.