MAORI v. PAKEHA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 310, 24 October 1888, Page 2

MAORI v. PAKEHA.

About three o'clock on Monday aFternoon a disturbance of a rather serious character took place at the Palace Hotel, between abouthnlf a dozen natives from the OmahaPnh and someEnropeans, It would seem that the origin of the quarrel was a deba'e on the relative worth cf the Maori and the Pakeha, which was taken up with much vigour, particularly by the dark-skinned brethren, some of whom claimed the best of the argument and demanded drinks From their opponents. But the whites were not on, feeling no doubt that the Maoris had not won their point. Both parties became very noisy, and the worthy host, seeing that trouble was brewing, called a separation. The i whites and Maoris accordingly betook themselves to separate rooms, the former i going into the big room whilst the latter were relegated to the bar-parlour. Peace reigned until the white man's quarters were invaded by a Maori rejoicing in the appellation of Long Dave, who wished to be sociable to the extent of a pint of beer. After a while the occupants of the room went into the passage, when they were again molested by the other natives. A disturbance followed, in the course of which the landlord was thrown down and trampled upon, and a native was struck with a chair, inflicting a scalp wound of a very ugly nature. By this time Sergeant Emerson arrived on the scene, and two of the delinquents were marched off to the lock-up, whilst the wounded man was taken by his friends to Air Eobson, chemist, for medical treatment. The fracas of course created a considerable amount of excitement, such scenes being of very rare occurrance in the township. The details as elicited at the Court are as follows, the case having been commenced immediately on the arrival of Mr H. W. Northcroft, ft. M., for the usual fortnightly sitting on Tuesday. Sergt. Emerson waited upon His Worship and informed him of the arrests he had made, when he decided to commence the case at once, and accordingly at four o'clock the Court was opened. There wefe a large number of spectators present.