POLICE COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5323, 7 September 1928, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

MAORIS IN TROUBLE. FIGHTING IN RAILWAY CARRIAGE. Punch Taupaki, Blakie Abrahamand George Morehu were ’arraigned before Mr F. W. Platts. S.M, yesterday, charged .with a number of 'l- - committed in a railway carriage between Te Arolia and Paeroa on August 25. Taupaki was charged with fighting, and pleaded, guilty. Abraham had Io answer, five charges, namciy ; fighting, (I'ceredrly behaviour, while drunk, assault. damaging a window, and insulting language, an.d pleaded gui;ty through his cqunscl, Mr Carde-n/. Morcliti, who did not appear, fmwarded a confession to the charge of using ojb-i-icenc language and disorderly conduct. All the cases were taken, together. George Parson's, blacksmith, of Thames,, said he was a passenger OjO the traini going to Tliti.mes that evening. He sa,w the Maoris fighting, and also heard them .using bad language. He could not say that they were di un,k, but they were excited. Constable McClinehy put in a statement signed by Morehu, who admitted being drunk. L. C. Cane, guard, said that while 1.0 wa: c: Heeling, tickets he saw two. Maoris on the floor fighting. Taupaki was on tqp of Abrahams and punching him. Some of the other Maoris were endeavouring to separate them, and when this was done Abra'haniis commenced hitting out .in all directions. He struck a number of passengers, who. however, refuted to, give their, names. Abrahams appeared to be very excited. Mr Carden said that the row started on the Te Aroha platform when, Morehu was hitting his wife apd preventing her getting on the train. Abrahams went along to give the woman assistance, as did Taupaki. They gOjt the woman on to the train, and then Mbrehu endeavoured to push her off anid -used some offensive language. After the train had gone a little distance Morehu struck his wife a blow, and again Abrahams went to her assistance. The trouble between the three then started. Abrahams, he contended, was.'njot the instigator. Taupaki said that he. had eh|tleavoured to protect Mrs .Mor.ehu by letting her s't near his wife and children. Moirehu then caught him by the throat and the fight began. The trouble arose through him trying to protect Mfl Morehu from her husband’s abuse and blows. The magistrate sand that it was a most disgraceful scene, anjd the public travelling on the trains must be protected. Morehu was fined S 3 for disorderly conduct and £2 for insulting, language, with £.l 9i; 4d co.sts. Taupaki was sentenced to one month’s Imprisonment, and Abrahams to six weeks’ imprisonment in, Auckland gaol, RIDING WITHOUT A LIGHT. A. C.; Shcrgold was charged with riding his bicycle without a light. Sergeant Calwcil said tha.t the case arose out of a seiotis accident which occurred on Puke Road, and in which the defendant was very badly injured. Defendant, wlio is still in hospital, wa c ; filled 10s. THEFT OF SHOES.. F.- A. Johnson, who was charged with the theft of a pair of patent leather shoes from the football field at Paeroa in Maj’ last, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years’ refopnative detention in the Waika.rei In/titute. . VARIATION IN MAINTENANCE. George Wilkinson applied fo,r a variation of he order for committal ■made against him for. not ; keeping sip his maintenance payments. In evidence he gave details of his earnngs, and said he had paid it all into cciunrt. He wa?; in hopes of getting a permanent job sharemilkin,g, ami would .then undertake to pay the arrears if he co.uld. He did not wish to shirk his responsibilities or do further time in; gaol. In stating that the warrant would be withheld for one month the magistrate, addressing defendaßt. said: “You have got to try and provide for your. wife. If you do,n’t, you- know what to expect.”