WINDOW SMASHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 983, 28 May 1930, Page 17

WINDOW SMASHED

MAORI USES AXE METHYLATED SPIRIT ADDICT From Our Ourn Correspondent TE KUITI, Tuesday. In the Te Kuiti Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, a Maori, Tommy Williams. appeared on charges of drunkenness and unlawfully damaging a plate-glass window, valued at £l6, the property of Robert Fenton, jeweller. of Sheridan Street, Te Kuiti. “There is no doubt he was mad from the effects of drinking methylated spirit,” said Sergeant Fearuley. Williams secured some methylated spirit and consumed a large quantity. At midnight on Saturday he attacked the window with an axe. Constable Annabell, who happened to be standing a short distance away, arrested accused. The excuse given by defendant was that certain tradespeople in the town had promised to supply him with methylated spirit, but had failed to do so. This incensed him very much, and he had struck the window with the axe, thinking it belonged to the person who was supposed to have supplied the spirit. The sergeant said the methylaTed spirit menace was growing in the King Country among both Maoris and Europeans. Mr. Mackersey, for defendant, said Williams did not remember doing the damage. Defendant was convicted on both charges and ordered to make good the damage to the window. He was also prohibited for one year. A mouth was allowed in which to pay the amount.