MAORIS CHARGED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21391, 6 February 1935, Page 4

MAORIS CHARGED

SEQUEL TO STREET FIGHT (PESSS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAM.) HASTINGS. February 5. A sequel to a recent street fracas in Hastings, from which Constable A. Sutherland had to enter the Napier Hospital for facial injuries allegedly i received from a kick by a Maori, was heard at the Hastings Police Court this morning, when a Maori youth, Walter Poki, was charged with assaulting Constable Sutherland in the execution of his duty, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Another Maori, Luckie Sullivan, was charged with using obscene language, with disorderly behaviour, and also with resisting a constable in the execution of his duty. The police evidence was that the constable saw a group of Maoris, under the influence of liquor, behaving in a disorderly manner and using obscene language. After his warning was ignored he arrested Sullivan. Poki interfered, and a fight resulted, in which the costable received injuries from kicks which kept him in hospital for 12 days. The most serious of his injuries was a double fracture of the cheek bone. After receiving assistance from bystanders, the constable arrested Poki, and another constable subsequently arrested Sullivan. On the major charges both pleaded not guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court at Napier for trial. Sullivan was committed for trial on the indictable charge of using obscene language. On the charge of resisting a constable he was fined £3, and he was convicted and discharged on the other minor charge on the condition that he takes out a prohibition order.