ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 156, 5 July 1887, Page 8

ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Three Men of Colour in Trouble

At the Police this morning, before Messrs T. Thompson and 11. G. Wade, Justices, three men of colour, viz., Charlie (a Fijian), Bob (a New Caledonian), and Hama Hama (a Maori) wero charged with violently assaulting Ernest. A. Frost by kicking him on the head and body at Lucas's Creek, thereby doing grievous bodily harm. Sergeant Pratt prosecuted, and Mr Dufaur appeared for the prisoner Hunm llama. Ernest Arthur Frost, a settlor residing at Ararimu North, deposed that on June 4th he was at Lucas's Creek, and was leaving , between 8 «ntl 9 for home. W. Wilson, J. Inglis uildD. Lockhcad wero in his company. Ho saw the prisoners Hama Hama and Charlie. Hama Hama accused witness of humbugging him over a transaction in gum, but as witness did not know what ho meant he laughed at him. Subsequently Hama Hama invited him to come and have a drink. Charlie and the European went into the passage of the hotel. He then observed Bob. standing in front of the bar. Six liquors Were supplied to the six persons in the passage, and when Mrs Evans, the landlady, asked who was going to pay for the liquors, witness said that Hama Hama would. The Maori, however, refused to pay for all the drinks, saying that ho had only invited witness in, and not the others. Witness thon paid for the whole six drinks, at the same time telling Hama Hama that he was very mean. Witness did not remember any more until he was lying in the middle of the road. Hβ was struck a blow behind the ear, and remembered nothing until he tried to get on his feet on the road. While on the road he was kicked and beaten with his owp riding whip. This rendered him senseloss. Ho was carried into the hotel, and after his head had been put under a tap, he was carried to bed, where he recovered his senses. He was cut on the crown of the head and under the eye with a boot kick, and therewere bruises over his body of kicks and blows of the whip. His left anklo was disabled by a kick,and he could" hardly put his foot to the ground. He sufFered-great pain from these injuries, and was unable to go home that night, and was Ibid tip for three weeks from his injuries. By Mr Dufaur : Witness had had nothing to drink all day except one glass of whisky. Hama Hama asked the others, as well as himself, to tako a drink. There were 12 or 14 Maoris at the hotel at the time of the assault. By the Bench : When Hama Hama accused witness of humbugging him about gum he was mistaking him for his brother. — Joseph Inglis gave corroborative evidence. Hama Hama struck Frost under the ear, and then,with the assistance of Charlie, dragged him outside,where they were joined by Bob, and all three prisoners took part in the assault.

After Inglis had given his evidence, the prisoners, Bob and Charles, said, in reply to the Bench, that they did not clearly understand the evidence (although they had both previously stated that they knew English). Under the circumstances, the Bench decided to adjourn the case until to-morrow, in order that interpreter's might be obtained.

Captain Edwin advises there is every indication of a heavy gale between N.E. and N. and W. during the next 12 hour. , ;, and heavy rain fall. The glass will further fall.

Last night, at about 1.30, a servant-girl in the employ of Mrs Vare, Hobsonstreefc, while in an out-house, was alarmed by hearing the report of a gun or other firearm close to her. She rushed into the house and stabed the occurrence and soon there were several detectives and policemen on the ground, bub could discover no indication of a shot having been fired.

The annual meeting of Suburban Newmarket Hall and Literary Institute was held last evening. Tlie attendance was small. The Secretary read the report and balance-sheet, the latter showing a credit of L 63 13s, 4 which was adopted. Messrs Bishop, Morgan, Taifc, Holmes and W. Dennison were elected members of the Committee. At a meeting of the Committee held immediately after, Mr James Taifc was elected Chairman, Mr George Bishop Treasurer, and Mr William Dennison, Secretary.

The sen-ice of song " Victoria and Her Reign " was performed at the Choral Hall last evening by the choir of the Auckland Sunday School Union under the able conductorship of Mr R. Tudehope. Mr Hooton acted as organist, while the Rev. A. J. Smith gave' the connective readings. Amongst the vocalists were Misses Warren, Clements, and Petty, Messrs Turley and Young. Mr F. Battley occupied the chair,