HINDU'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 178, 29 July 1940, Page 3

HINDU'S DEATH.

MAORI SENTENCED.

FOUR YEARS IN GAOL.

HAD SUDDEN BRAINSTORM.

The young Maori, John Kite, who was found guilty that with intent to do grievous bodily harm he assaulted a Hindu, Kama Kliushal, near Hi'ntly, causing him actual bodily harm, was sentenced by Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to-day to four years' imprisonment with hard labour.

A plea for accused was made by Mr. A. Hall Skelton, who said that Kite's people declared he was only 18 years of age, though he, himself, had said he was 23. Counsel pointed out that Kite was under the influence of liquor at the time of the assault, and had a sudden brainstorm.

His Honor said lie was glad the ju»' t li.ul disagreed on the count of man- j, eliiujjhtcv for, in his View, there was a ]] distinct hiatus in the chain of evidence v on that. But he felt that the verdict on c the assault charge was justified, and the n accused would bo dealt with accordingly, y Counsel had been concerned only with v his client, proceeded his Honor, in sug- v posting that a short, sharp sentence I 1 following on the anxiety of the trial s would ensure that accused would never d again give way to a brainstorm. But * the Court had aleo the public to consider. It was obvious that the prisoner, a I powerful young man, had s-truck the '' Hindu, described as a poor weakling, * over and over again, inflicting \ery grave injuries. He was quite satisfied that the v Maori people understood the gravity of ° this offence, and that decent Maoris dis- * approved of such conduct. The prisoner f would be sentenced to four years' hard s labour. t