MAORIS QUARREL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1932, Page 2

MAORIS QUARREL

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT. ALLEGATIONS ABOUT FIREARMS

ROTORUA, December 14

As a result of quarrelling between natives at Te Ngae, Joseph Te Kiri and Frank Heke came before the Police Court to-day on a charge ,of presenting firearms. It was stated that the Heke family and Te Kiri had been at loggerheads for the past twelve months, the causes of the dispute being land and horses. ,

• Te Kiri, .in evidence, said he did not have ,a firearm at the time and was going down a road through the property when he found his right of way had been blocked. On asking why this had been done, Heke said it was no business of his (Te Kiri’s), and threatened to shoot him. Te Kiri said that Heke ran into his house and soon after came out with a shotgun. Another of the family came out with a spear, fe Kiri pulled the gun away. A struggle took place, and Heke struck ,at him with the butt of the gun, hitting him on the back of the neck, causing a wound.

Kiri said he d'd not take the horses as he had been accused of doing, and had had no firearm for the past two years. He had put up .a fence to divide their properties and the Hoke family had pulled it down. The affray that evening had been on account of the blocking of the road, t, 0 which he considered he had proper access.

Frank Hek e said he did not present a firearm ,at Te Kiri. The quarrel was aIT about horses, as Te Kiri had taken their horses a wav. Heke said lie was certain that Te Kiri had a rifle, which he (Heke) tried to obtain, and n struggle occurred. Te Kiri feM down. The magistrate, Mr S. L. Paterson, said that it was a fnmilv disunite that had been going on for some years and tho ppi- e people were the aggressors. The information against To Kiri wa* dismissed. Hoke was convicted *hid ordered t 0 com e up for sentence if called on within 12 months.