DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20269, 11 August 1937, Page 7

DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

MAORI BROTHERS FIGHT. GUN AND SLASHER USED. (By Telegraph.—press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. The fracas at the Maori pa at Moerakl on the night of July 2, when a grorse slasher was used and a gun was converted into a flailing weapon after a shot was fired was described at the Palmerston Police Court when Ira Panapa Porete, who was still nursing a broken left arm, was charged with doing grievous bodily harm to Paane Rewetl Porete, his brother, who had two fingers almost severed and was severely wounded In the head. The brothers were commonly known as Pollett, accused being kno\*n as Ned and Paane as Fuller. Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., presided. James Hill Scully, headmaster at Moeraki, said accused called at 9 5 p.m. and asked him to ring for the police. Accused was in a terrible condition, being almost covered with blood from head to foot. Accused said ho had been to Dunedin that day and on coming home had found his house broken Into, his brother having taken several beds. He went to interview his brother about taking his belongings, and called to his brother to come cut, but a boot came flying through the window and struck him on the forehead. His brother then appeared at the door, raised a shotgun and fired at him, and then, reversing the gun and taking the barrel in both hands, hit him over the head. Accused said he kept dodging back and looking for •something with which to defend himself, but in the meantime the gun descended on his arm. He picked up a stick and'warded off Fuller’s blows with It. Paane,, or Fuller, Porete, said he helped to remove the furniture to his house. He was awakened by what le thought was an earthquake. The window glass came in and accused appeared at the window and knocked it In. Accused demanded his bed and witness denied that he had it. “ i took the gun to frighten him away,” said complainant. “ When I thought he was coming through an opening in the trees I fired a shot, but I did not see anyone. “ I walked to the opening In the trees, and my brother Jumped out at me with a slasher. I tried to defend myself with the shotgun and there was a *set-to. Accused and I fell to the ground and the slasher struck me across the hand.” Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in accused's recognisance of £250. _