RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Manawatu Herald, 28 January 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

--------|-------- FOXTON. Monday, January 27. (Before J. T. Stewart and J. F. Rockstrow, Esqs, J.P.'s.) VIOLENT ASSAULT. William Shearer, a half-caste, was charged with violently assaulting Hipirini Pounui on Thursday last. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Hipirini, being sworn, deposed — On Thursday last I was assaulted by prisoner at Howe's Hotel ; I have no idea why he was angry with me ; a number of other natives were in a parlor at the hotel, and were talking of some land in Manawatu ; I went to a clear place on the table to look at a map, and afterwards shook hands with the woman Shearer lives with ; I then went out to the bar, and had not been there five minutes when prisoner came and took me by the hand ; I thought he wanted to speak to me about some land ; when I was fairly outside, he struck me on the neck, and I fell ; he lifted me by the head and hand, but struck me down flat again ; a number of natives rushed up to prevent him ill-treating me further ; he sprang forward, and had words with them ; there were several who saw him lead me out. By prisoner — I have not kept on following you against your wish ; I never did. Prisoner explained to the Court that he had frequently told the complainant not to follow him about, but as he had persisted in doing so, he had taken it out of him. By the Bench — I was much hurt by the assault, and am unable now to work; I have a shearing job for Mr Robinson, but owing to the injuries inflicted by the prisoner, I am unable to go on with it. Mary, a native woman, deposed, I saw the assault committed on Thursday last; Shearer brought Hipirini out from the Hotel, threw him down, and struck him ; I ran up and asked him what he was doing ; he struck complainant violently — hard enough to kill him ; I pushed prisoner aside ; complainant bid not strike Shearer in return. By prisoner — You hit him after he was down. By the Court — I only saw one blow struck, which was on the neck ; Shearer threw Hipirini down, and whilst he was down, prisoner struck him. Hipirini re-examined — After the assault, I was unable to walk, but was carried to the river ; after being in the water some time I was taken to a whare at the brick field, in which I have been since. By prisoner — I was led down to the water, not carried. After consultation, Mr Stewart said— William Shearer, the Court is of opinion that you have committed an assault of a violent nature ; there does not seem to have been any provocation given. No medical evidence is before the Court to show the nature of the injuries received ; but they were evidently of a serious character, as complainant has been unable to walk since. The decision of the Court is, that you be fined £6 and costs — one half the money to go to the complainant. The Court then adjourned.