FATAL AFFRAY

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 8

FATAL AFFRAY

Manslaughter Charge Against Maori

SEQUEL TO FIGHT WITH

PAKEHAS

(By Telegraph.—Presa Association.) WHANGAREI, May 23. As the outcome of an affray at Pakotai on April 2 when three pakehas and several Maoris were involved in a figly., resulting in one pakeha dying short.y after his admission to Whangarei Hospital suffering from severe head injuries, a charge of manslaughter was brought iii the Magistrates' Court today. A Maori, William Martin, aged 21, truck driver, was charged that be unlawfully killed William Arnesen, thereby committing manslaughter. Ernest Arenesen, farm labourer, Datgarille, said that on April 2 he left home with his brothers William and Norman, anil went to his property at Awarua, near Kaikohe. On the truck he had a citac containing four dozen bottles ot ale which belonged to his brother William. After working all day on the properry spitting fence posts, two bottles of beer being consumed, they left betore sunset with a full truck-load of fence posts. Til? road' home led through Pakotai, where a stop was made because of truck trouble. Similar trouble had been experienced three or four months previously at the same place, and ins brother Bill said they would thank the Maoris who had helped previously and if they wanted drink they were welcome, to it. With Bill he talked to three .Maoris bill asked them if they would like a drius. Two accepted the invitation, and Bill gave them a bottle, one opening it with his teeth. More Maoris arrived shortly afterward, and a ?ouple of bottles were taken without permission. Ou checking the load before starting for home, it was discovered that all the beer except two bottles had gone. There should have been 40 bottles. . On questioning the Maoris a fight was begun by them. Witness was knocked down, punched and kicked, being attacked by three or four. He saw Bid lying o»' the ground behind the truck with three Maoris holding him down, lie regained his feet and said they had better get away as the Maoris were too many for them. As the Maoris were shouting, witness and his brothers armed themselves with pieces of wood as a protection. , , .. , After driving 300 yards they waited about 20 minutes. Discovering that a guitar, hats and shirts were missing from the truck, and that the lights would not operate, they went to a nearby house and asked lor the guitars. They took with them a spade, an axe, and a piece of wood, which they kept concealed. 1 he Maoris again began a light. Bill was felled bv a stone thrown, it was believed, by a Maori, and witness hail bis cheek fractured. , , . . , The case was not concluded today.