ALTERCATION ON LAUNCH

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24445, 20 December 1944, Page 8

ALTERCATION ON LAUNCH

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE DISMISSED (P.A.) WHANGAREI, December 19. Arising from the death of Noema Puru, of Rawhiti, during an altercation in a launch conveying pensioners from Russell to their homes on Cape Brett peninsula, a manslaughter charge against Sam Hakaraia, aged 39, was dismissed by Justices of the Peace at Kawakawa. A woman passenger said that Puru, annoyed by her joking, punched her over the heart. An old-age pensioner testified that when, he tried to intervene Puru disabled him with a painful grip. A post-mortem examination revealed that the causes of death were consistent with strangulation. In statements to the police, Hakaraia said that when he tried to protect the woman, Puru, whq weighed 18st, seized him round the hips and tried to throw him overboard. Getting a grip round Puru’s neck he maintained it until the larger man ceased struggling. He did not realise until after 10 minutes' rest that the other man was dead. Detective-Sergeant Finlay said that the accused had the right, under Section 66 of the Crimes Act, to stop or try to prevent a breach of the peace. No doubt such a breach had been committed by Puru when he punched the woman and disabled the old man. There was, In fact, a legal obligation on Hakaraia, as a citizen, to intervene, and he did the only thing possible in the circumstances. After 10 minutes’ retirement the Justices announced their 'opinion that no jury would convict. Upon being discharged, Hakaraia thanked the justices and wept.