HANDCUFFED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1933, Page 3

HANDCUFFED

A WOMAN’S ARREST RATANA; CHURCH POLICEMAN. (Per Press Association—Copyright). ■GISBORNE,- September 20 • A'curious, case of assultawas heard .by Mr E./L. Waltcn, S.M., at the 1 sitting of the Magistrate’s Court■ at Waipiro Bay. Defendant was a Maori, iTuhi Karelia 1 ; "who was served with a iSufnrilons in the marcO’of Sonny White.' who pleaded guilty to> a charge of assaulting Mere Aidin' Waiti. ' It was explained by Sergeant Sparks ‘ tiiitt ''White Avas a meihber of the j Jtatana Church, and was a Maori polI iceman jander a; certificatepurporting (to entitle White to maintain order I fcmong the = members of the church in Tokomaru Bay. Accussed was called in I connection with a domestic dispute be- | tween”fMipi'e '-'Waiti and Her ‘husband ; his arrival ■a; their,/.home at. Waipiro Ray, lie ;handcuffed the woman. She ran out into ;the street and neighbours later severed I the handcuffs with a file.

; Sergeant Sparks stated' that White (Had informed liiiri that the handcuffs (had been supplied by Ratana. Defiendaint explained that he ; had ibeen .commanded by .the. Church to (handcuff the woman. , '

’• The Magistrate; to - the' interpreter : j Ycu /tell him that his Church cannot (give Him any -.rights to do such a 'tiling. The church lias no powers and they must do their work . peaceably. ( A fine of £2 and costs-was imposed, land/an order was made for the confiscation of the handcuffs.