POLICE COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4635, 7 December 1923, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1928. (Before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M.) £3 FINE FOR ASSAULT. Wiremu Torno, alias Mane Tomo, was charged with assaulting William Vivian Smith by striking him on the face on November 9 in Wharf Street, Paeroa. Defendant pleaded npt guilty. William Vivian Smith, carpenter, Paeroa, said that he was coming out of the pictures oh the evening in question when a lot of pushing occurred. When he remonstrated with the Maori the latter followed him for a few yards and struck him over the face. No provocation was given There was a bright light shining outside the picture theatre, and witness was certain of the identity of the Maori. . Several witnesses corroborated the evidence of Smith. Accused said that he had left hik work and reached Paeroa about 8 p.m. and went to the pictures. On coming out of the theatre he saw another Maori being pushed on the steps of the building. He had seeii the assault take place, and denied that it was he who struck Smith. To Constable McClinchy accused denied having been warned by the police for rough play on a previous occasion. Constable McClinchy in evidence said that three days before the action in the present charge he had occasion to warn accused for knocking a lad about. Defendant had previously been charged ( wffh drunkenness. His Worship said that the assault had been proved, and although it was of a trivial nature, defendant had not improved matters by telling lies to the court. Accused was convicted and fined £3, with costs £3 17s 6d and interpreter’s fee 10s 6d; in default erne month in gaol. One week was allowed in which to pay. DRIVING ON FOOTPATH. Alexander Taylor was charged with driving a motor-car alojng the footpath in Normanby Road on November 21; ’ . Constable McClinchy stated that a heavy, car had beep driven along the footpath for a distance of 25 yards. . Accused was convicted and fined £t, and costs 7s.