MAORI BEFORE COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5158, 29 July 1927, Page 2

MAORI BEFORE COURT.

SERIOUS CHARGE LAID.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

A young Coromandel Native named Mick Brown, a labourer, living at Hikutaia, was: charged at the local Police Court this morning with an alleged indecent assault on a white girl under the age of 16 years at Hikutaia on July 24. Messrs F. E. Flatt and E. Edwards, J’s.P., were off the Bench, and Senior-Sergeant D. A. Maclean conducted the prosecution. Mr E. A. Porritt appeared for the aecu'sed. '

Formal evidence was given by tlie mother as to the age of the girl. Evidence was given by the girl, during which she stated that she had known accused for about four months and had been out to a number of parties with him. It wa'S' on returning from a party that the alleged offence took place., and was repeated again the night following.

To Mr Porritt the girl admitted that she had formed a strong attachment for the a'ccus-ed. On the night of the first offence she had asked accused to take her away from Hikutaia. She admitted having told him that she was 19 years of age. On the Monday evening accused had got a taxi in order to send her to stay with some friends, in Pa.eroa, but she refused to go. To Senior-Sergeant Maclean witness said that she had also told accused her correct age in addition to saying that she was 19. Constable McClinchy stated that in consequence of Information received he liad interviewed the accused on Tuesday afternoon last. Accused signified 'his willingness to face the girl and hear her statement, which he agreed was correct. The statement agreed with her evidence at the Court. Witness said he had known accused for about five year’s. Brown had been working far a farmer at Hikutaia for about three years, but latterly was working for the- Public Works Department. So far as he knew, accused had an excellent character and was sober and industrious. To Mr Pprritt witness that the accused had given his evidence truthfully and with exceptional frankness. Dr. W. W. Little, Paeroa, gave evidence of having examined the girl. There was no sign of her having been interfered with. There was a bruise ■on the rigiht thigh which appeared to be a few days old.

Accused pleaded guilty, but said that he had no statement to make. In addressing the Bench Mr Porritt said that although the incident was a very regrettable one, he desired to point out the splendid character given the accused by the police. He was to be commended for hfe truthfulness and frankness.

In committing Brown to the Supreme Court, Auckland, for sentence, the Bench intimated that it agreed with the remarks in favour of the accused made by the police and Mr Porritt.