ALLEGED ASSAULT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5065, 15 December 1926, Page 2

ALLEGED ASSAULT.

DOMESTIC MATTER VENTILATED.

A CARPENTER IN TROUBLE.

At the Paeroa Police Court this, morning, before Messrs W. Marshall and W. F. North, J’s.P., .a young Maori named Adam Walters, labourer, Paeroa (Mr E. W. Porritt), proceeded against Gus. Hahn, cairponter, Paeroa, alleging unlawful assault on Saturday last. A plea of not guilty was entered. In evidence complainant s.tated that on Saturday last he met his sister, yyho was crying. She said that her mother had: turned her, out of the home. He accompanied her to his mother’s, home, where he commenced to intercede on behalf of his sister. While arguing with his mother the defendant struck him across the mouth and called him filthy names. There was no provocation, and the affair was nothing to do with the defendant Complainant said his mouth •was cut and bleeding. He had not spoken to defendant and did not strike him.

A young Maori named Bern Martin gave corroborative evidence, and said that the trouble was between complain'Oint and his mother and it was no concern of the defendant’s. Annie. Walters detailed the meeting with her brother in the street,, and how she had accompanied him to her mother’s house with the idea of effecting a reconciliation. She heard the language complained of and saw the defendant thrashing her brother. She ( did not see compWnant. make any attempt to strike his mother.. Gus. Hahn, the defendant, said that he w.as; at Mrs Walters.’ house tvhen the affair started. He denied that he had struck complainant, but had merely knocked his hat off when he saw complainant strike at his mother. To Mr. Porritt defendant said that he; did not interfere in the; argument until complainant had struck at his mother and used abusive language to her. The complainant was mad drunk at the time, and one hotel had refused to serve him. The complainant received merely a slap in the face and was not-hurt.

The complainant, on re-examina-tion, denied .that he was drunk, and denied strenuously that he had been in an hotel that day.

The Benvh said that it was satisfied an assault had been committed. ’ Defendant was convicted and fined £2, with costs £1 Ils. One. week was allowed in which to pay, in default ten days’ imprisonment.