DEATH OF HINDU

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1940, Page 7

DEATH OF HINDU

THE HUNTLYTRAGEDY. GAOL SENTENCE FOR MAORI. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. July 28. A young Maori. John Kite, who was found guilty on a charge that with intent to do grievous bodily harm he assaulted a Hindu. Rama Khushal. near Huntly. causing actual bodily harm, was sentenced by Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to four years' imprisonment with hard labour. A plea for accused was made by MiHall Skelton, who said Kite's people declared he was only 18 years of age. though he had said he was 23. At the time of the assault Kite was under the influence of drink and had a sudden brainstorm. His Honour said he was glad the jury had disagreed on the manslaughter count, for in his view there was a distinct hiatus in the chain of evidence on that. But he felt the verdict on the assault charge was justified. The Court had to consider the public. It was obvious that the prisoner, a powerful young man, had several times, struck a Hindu, described as a poor weakling, inflicting very grave injuries. His Honour was quite sure the Maori people understood the gravity ol the offence and that decent Maoris disapproved of such conduct.