MAORI AMOK

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20255, 26 July 1937, Page 6

MAORI AMOK

ARMED WITH A HAMMER. PLATE WINDOWB SMASHED. SENSATION AT OTAHUHU. (Special to Times' AUCKLAND. Monday. A sensational affair occurred in ths main shopping centre of Otahuhu shortly after mid-day yesterday when a Maori man, about 43 years of age, ran amok with a hammer and smashed 15 plate-glass windows, causing damage estimated at £IBO. Some of the largest windows, measuring about 9ft. by 7ft., were completely wrecked, and others cracked and splintered to such an extent that replacement will be necessary in all the premises concerned. There were few people In the vicinity when, about 12.30 p.m., the man, brandishing a carpenter’s hammer, smashed two large windows of an empty shop on the corner of Great South Road and Mason Avenue. After wrecking them completely the Maori proceeded along the block delivering dlows at each window in turn.

The son of one of the shopkeepers succeeded in engaging the man’s attention and escorted him past the remaining shops in the block ending at Station Road. Just prior to the arrival of Sergeant Daly and Constable Archibald, who took the man Into custody without difficulty, he smashed two other windows in the adjoining block. With one exception all the windows are insured with five offices, the British Traders. Yorkshire. South British. Norwich Union and Atlas companies. So extensive was the damage in several of the premises that the shopkeepers had to clear their windows of goods. Later In the day all the windows were boarded. The Maori, who is a returned soldier, and has suffered from shellshock, will appear in the Police Court to-day. APPEARANCE IN COURT. MENTALITY IN QUESTION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Monday. Charged with wilfully damaging three plate-glass windows valued at £6O at Otahuhu yesterday afternoon, Nganlkara Hohepa Maaka (44), Maori labourer, appeared In the Police Court, Auckland, to-day. Sub-Inspector Fox, asking for a remand, said Maaka was seen going down the main street of Otahuhu waving a hammer. He smashed twelve windows. His attention was attracted by a passer-by and later at the request of a constable he threw the hammer down and submitted to arrest. He seemed excited but there were no signs of drink.

Two doctors certified him as mentally deficient but when taken to a mental hospital the doctors there declined to admit him although he had twice been an inmate of mental hospitals, having come out at his own request five weeks ago. Mr Wyvern Wilson remanded Maaka to appear at Otahuhu on Monday next, remarking that if in the meantime he showed signs of mental deficiency the Minister could obtain an order for a medical examination.