THE LATE ASSAULT CASE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1702, 2 June 1883, Page 2

THE LATE ASSAULT CASE AT CAMBRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sißj— The report of the charge against Wi Paova for assault aud theft published in this days' issue of your paper is substantially correct, and shows the difficulty of proving, in Cambridge at the present time, any charge brought against a Maori. This is the second time I have been assaulted by natives, and in neither case have I been able to obtain any redress. The fiist time was a few weeks before Sullivan's minder. I was then working at a contract I had from Mr E. B. Walker close to the place where the murder Was subsequently committed. On that occasion I received a wound fiom a taiaha on the temple, from the effects of which I have never completely recovered. I might have killed the man with the shovel I had been working with as I had him on his back in the drain, but refrained through fear of | ossible legal pioceedings. I was much blamed, especially after Sullivan's murder, for letting him off. The then Resident Magistrate even asked me how it wns that I did not kill the fellow. I therefore determined that if I were ever again assaulted by a native I would not let him go so easily. On this account I gave Paora in charge, with the result the report shows. During the sitting of the Native Lands Court, the streets, after dark, are frequently crowded, especially in the vicinity of the hotels, with half-drunk Maoris, and it is almost impossible for a European, who is either assaulted or insulted by them, to get any proof against the aggressors, while a native -can always find some dusky compatriot to swear whatever may be necessaty to prove the accused to be the most harmless, innocent and injured [of mortals. Could not something be done to put a stop to this state of things. — I have the honour to be sir, your most obedient servant. James Las ey. Cambridge, May 31st, 1883.

A milkman would make an excellent interviewer. He is such a good pumper, and can skim over his subject without any difficulty. An amusing misunderstanding occurred in Austin a few days ago. Colonel Mapleson Dodge hired a couple of darkeys to move his furniture to his house. After they had brought the first load of furniture to the new house, the Colonel, who ,was starting a vegetable garden, told them on the next trip to bring a pint of peas from the grocery. He waited and waited for the second load of household effects, but it never arrived, Finally he started out to see what had j become of the household effects. There was the loaded wagycn in front of the grocery, and inside were the two darkeys as drunk as adjourning Congre amen. When the Colonel told them to get a pint of pe.ts, they understood him to say " a pint apiece," and a pint of, whisky they sell in the Austin grocery store, will stagger a legislator who -has 1 served two