COURT AT OPUNAKE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1940, Page 8

COURT AT OPUNAKE

ASSAULT CHARGE HEARD Charged in the Opunake Magistrate's Court on Thursday before Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., of unlawful assault on Theophilus Renton, manager of the Cape Egmont dairy factory at Pungarehu,, a Maori, Nuku Rangitaawa, pleaded guilty. No fine was inflicted, but defendant was ordered to pay costs of 5s. Describing the incident, Constable W. F. Antill said that Nuku called at the factory on the morning of August 21 to ask for work. Renton, who was working in the factory, advised him to try for a position at Waitara, and Nuku, who became abusive, struck him a light blow on the cheek as Renton turned his back. The assault was not a serious one, but for one in Renton's position the incident could not be allowed to pass unheeded, said Constable Antill. It was Nuku's story that having been promised a position in the factory by Renton, he had. been constantly delayed. Constable Antill described defendant as . a well conducted Maori. In a long explanation to the court Nuku deelared that he had left a permanent position at the beginning of the season in the belief that, on Renton's undertaking, a position would be available to him in the factory. When Renton did not fulfil that alleged promise defendant lost his self-control. He tendered apologies to the court and to Renton. "If you feel that you have been unjustly treated you must not take the law into your own hands," said Mr. Woodward, in entering a conviction without penalty. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following civil claims: Hughson's Ltd. v. W. Benny £12 18s 4d (costs £3); same v. Peter Conroy, £2 12s 8d (£1 5s 6d); same v. Mati Cullen, £32 18s 6d (£4 10s 6d); Te Kiri Stores Ltd. v. Herbert Edgar Bright £7 8s 7d (£1 12s 6d), John Morris v. L. Bianchi £1 12s 9d (15s), Egmont County Council v. Walter H. James 8s 4d (10s). On a judgment summons order Manu Mitchell was ordered to pay D. J. Peat £2 17s within one month, in default three days' imprisonraent; Harold Bright to pay Parkes and Griffiths £5 17s (costs 15s 6d) forthwith, in default five days' imprisonment, warrant to be suspended on payment of £1 per month; John Abraham Emeny to pay Lister Separators (Taranaki) Ltd. £5 5s 4d (costs 15s 6d) forthwith, in default five days imprisonment, warrant to be suspended on payment of £1 per month; Mrs. K. M. Blackburn to pay Irish Linen Co. Ltd. £14 17s 6d (costs £1 ls) forthwith, in default three days' imprisonment, warrant to be suspended on payment of 10s per month; Charley C. Mauriri to pay , J P. Burton £8 6s lOd (costs 15s 6d)' forthwith, in default seven days' imprisonment), warrant to be suspended on payment of £1 per month.