WANGANUI SENSATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1865, 17 August 1918, Page 3

WANGANUI SENSATION.

MAD MAORI SMASHES WINDOWS.

An unpleasant experience befel the occupants of the residence of Mr P. MeWilliant, of Mars Hill, Wanganui, yesterday (says the Herald), the house being attacked by a. native and all the windows in the residence smashed, the damage amounting to about £SO. The native then went across to Mr D. Campion’s residence, evidently with the intention of repeating his performance. He made for Mr Campion, but the latter’s son Charles, who was standing near, put in a blow with a spade, which for the time being rendered the assailant powerless to do any more damage. To make perfectly sure, his hands were tied together. Constable Gainey, on receipt of the news went out and brought the native in. His name is Povokoru Te Patu, and he is about 5!) years of

Naturally, the occupants of the house were terrified and greatly shocked at the damage which was being done to the home, and feared that the assailant might come inside and attack thorn next. Fortunately he did not do so, and, seizing a favourable opportunity, (hey went to a neighbour’s, Mr 1). Campion. Tin 1 native followed them, and it was here that he was secured in the manner already described. The damage at the MeWilliant residence is estimated at £SO. No reason can ho assigned for the outrage. Beyond the tact that he was a native, .Mr McWilliam has no knowledge of his assailant.

Further particulars of the incident show that the native arrived at the house about Jive o’eloek. The first the occupants heard of the visitor was his walking up and down the verandah. Thinking if was someone who wanted to use the telephone, or needed help of some kind, Mrs McWilliams called out, “Who’s there?” Beyond the muttering of a few unintelligible words, there was no reply. The door was not opened. Then, in a fit of apparent fury, the native started to attack the windows of the house. Not content with breaking the glass, he destroyed .-•ashes and frames as well, visiting all windows in turn, till there was not a whole pane of glass in the house. Some chairs and other articles which were on the verandah also became victims of the native’s fury. He also paid a visit to the fruit house, and demolished the windows (hero.

■He is at present in the hospital, hut is not badly hurt.