Patea R.M Court.

Patea Mail, 24 January 1882, Page 3

Patea R.M Court.

This Day, before Mr C. A. Wray, R.M. DRUNKEN-LOAFER, Jno. McMenamen pleaded guilty to being drunk in Patea on Saturday." An order had been made in Wellington on the prisoner, for not supporting hia family. Prisoner said that is what made him get drunk. i .■ , v ' \ Magistrate ; Do you mean that you got drunk because - ypu, had to support your family ? ’ Prisoner ; That is what annoyed me. Magistrate : Twenty-four.hours -in gaol. KEREOPA’S FIGHT. A well-known ; native, named Keroopa was charged with breaking windows and doing other damage at the Whenuakura hotel on the, 12th instant; t 10s. J. Hunte'r, hotel-keeper, Whenuakura, said that Kereopa and a few ; other Maoris

came into the hotel early in the afternoon, and he had throe or four shandygaffs. Kereopa said he would like to fight somebody. No European was then present, except the prosecutor. A pakeha came in while Kereopa was sitting in the corner, and challenged him to fight. Kereopa said he did not want to fight, but the pakeha struck him. They had a fight, and Kereopa was knoocked down and got the worst of it. Kereopa went to the pah, and returned with a number of natives in a demonstrative manner. The white man who had struck him retired into the house, and the door was fastened. Then Kereopa broke all the windows he could reach with his hand. Hs broke eleven panes. Kereopa then got a big stick and smashed the window sashes and broke in the door. The prosecutor then got a gun (not loaded), and pointed it out at the door, threatening the Maories, who went away towards the pah. The damage done amounted to £3 10s. By the Court: Kereopa had about three bottles of rum that day, which he took to the pah.

T. Tapp, carter, said Kereopa challenged him to fight on the evening of the 12tb, but did not fight him, A stranger afterwards talked to witness about Kereopa, and the stranger then challenged Kereopa to fight. Kereopa said he could fight, and after about three words the stranger hit Kereopa in the face, and they went outside and fought fairly. Kereopa ran aw'ay towards the pah, and returned with about twenty Maoris all stripped, and all insisted on fighting the stranger. They commenced pulling at him, but witness and the landlord tried to get the stranger into the house. One Maori swore they would kill him. Witness got a stick and used it, clearing the house, and Mr Hunter closed the door. Kereopa then smashed the windows and broke in the door. Mr Hunter got a gun to frighten the Maoris, who ran away. Kereopa was not particularly drunk. Kereopa was fined £5 and costs, and ordered to keep the peace for six months. The fine was paid,