SQUABBLE AT OTAKI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1086, 19 April 1913, Page 4

SQUABBLE AT OTAKI.

THREAT TO KILL AND EAT.

At the Otaki Police Court on Wednesday, before Messrs) Frank Rcnnett and William Tompsitt, J.P’s., a native, Alix Hohipiha*, was charged on the intoi'niation of Constable Satherley with behaving in a threatening manner m Jim road, thereby causing a breach of the peace. Defendant pleaded not guiltyThe constable stated that during the day the accused was offensive, ami while on the road at night used threatening' language, and at the same time threatened to ’lull Mr Kingwith an axe. Finally, he had to be thrown down. Ho had oa usecl ‘ M turbanee at the Central Hotel, at Mr T King’s and had assaulted another person. k Defendant had complained to E he bad to struck by Hema, a leading native, ami after hearing his tale had advised hi to go home. This he did u°t do, ami a more serious disturbance resulted. King! Tahiwi, a licensed intei pictei, stated that the defendant had been provoking natives at the raukawa, an had disturbed several visitors, using - fensive remarks. He was asked to d sist, and was advised quietly to go home. He failed to do so, and rushed at him (witness) with an umpire la, which he would have driven Jhiough him had it not been lor his l l ( ?* ’ Henare. Bad language was used freely by the defendant, and then he threatened to cut his (Kmgi s) head oft with an axe, and have it tor breaktast. To accused: The trouble arose over you (defendant) interfering with people, r an, not aware that it was throng Hema giving yon a hiding that caused the row. I did not know yon had seen the constable, ami showed him bloodmarks on your face, but I know the constable had interviewed Hema. King! Tahiwi, continuing Ins evidence, said that on Saturday night the defendant had called Hema every name possible in the Maori language, but this was smoothed over, temporarily, hut defendant harped cm an imaginary grievance. If defendant had not been ejected from the raukawa it is probable that the feelings of other natives against him would have assumed a serious aspect and he would have been killed. He saw defendant in the act of striking his brother, and rushed at Alix and upset him. He turned, and used insulting language, and spoke derogatory concerning his (witness s) father, which roused his blood —he taking it as an insult. He was not aware that Hema had struck him. Constable Satherley said he had received several complaints about the defendant, and on the night in question was obligee! to arrest him. Defendant, on oath, said that at 6.30 p.m. he went to the raukawa, and found only Visitors there. He sat down, and was 'filling his pipe, when Hema struck him on the shoulder, and told him to go. He asked, why? He explained that the house belonged to his ancestors, and that ho had every fight to lie there. Hema punched him on the nose, and lie straightway went to the police, and made a complaint. Hema had no cause to hit him. He never made a remark. He only went to the raukawa to see the visitors, who were relatives pr'friends. They sympathised with-him over the trouble, and he would like the opportunity of calling them as witnesses. The whole trouble was caused through jealousy, and Hema giving him. a hiding. A fine of £B, and costs 17s 6d, was inflicted.