A MAORI IN TROUBLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5118, 27 April 1927, Page 2

A MAORI IN TROUBLE.

DRUNKENNESS AND ASSAULT.

GIVEN A FINAL CHANCE. A sturdily built Maori named Tu Karu, labourer, aged 30 1 years, appeared at the Police Court, Paeroa, yesterday morni.ng before Messrs. P. E. Brenan and F, E. Flatt, J’s. P. The. defendant was charged with drunkenness in Belmont Road on Saturday night last, and also with using insulting and abusive language. A third charge was also preferred of having assaulted Constable McClinchy while in the execution of his duty. On the application of the. police the issue of a prohibition order was also asked for.

Defendant pleaded guilty to the three charges.

Constable McClinchy stated that Karu had been around the. town drinking during the afternoon. Towards evening he got into trouble with some other Natives outside one of the hotels. A complaint was made to witness, and he. remonstrated with the accused, who was drunk and used the bad language complained of. Witness thereupon arrested him, but while being escorted up the street accused broke away, and after a chase was. caught down near the riverbank. Witness said that he again attempted to get accused to the police station, but when negotiating the right-of-way leading from Normanby Road to Willoughby Street a traffic jamb occurred. It was at this point, which was almost dark, that tih'e accused assaulted witness by kicking and struggling. After a rough and tumble witness w'as forced to release accused, but a warrant was issued immediately for his arrest. The following morning witness interviewed Mr A. W. Curtis, for whom accused had been working, and he brought him to the police station, where he was formally charged with the offences. On the bond of Mr Curtis ho was released on bail of £lO. Constable McClinchy said that accused was a herd-working man, and recently married. While not pressing for. a heavy sentence the Court would realise that the police must be, protected in carrying out their duty. On behalf of accused Mr Curtis stated that he was a good worker, and trustworthy and honest. He was prepared to take him back in h’i.s employ and would endeavour to keep an eye on his behaviour in the future. He had expressed keen regret for the trouble he had got into. In reply to the Bench Constable McClinchy said that be had known the Maori for some years, and knew him to be a good worker. Some time ago he had met with an accident, in which his eye was‘injured, and when he took drink jt affected him strangely. It was in the best Interests of the accused that he should be prohibited. In answer to Mr Brenan Karu said that he. was willing to have an order issued, and would pull himself together and keep out of trouble. Addressing accused the Bench stated that it was loathe to send the mfin to gaol for twelve months, but it must be clearly understood that the police were entitled to protection, and also that disgusting language and drunkenness would not be tolerated.

On the charge of drunkenness accused was convicted and fined IDs, and on the other charges he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. A prohibition order would also be issued. The Bench gave a warning that if he took any more liquor and got into trouble he would also be sentenced on the present charges.