AIR FORCE CLASSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 13

AIR FORCE CLASSES

DEATH OF HINDU

YOUNG MAORI SENTENCED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 28

A young Maori, John Kite, who was found guilty on a charge that with intent to do grievous bodily harm he assaulted a Hindu, Rama Khushal, near $luntly, causing actual bodily harm, SSras sentenced by Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to four years' imprisonment with hard labour. A plea for the accused was made by Mr. Hall Skelton, who said Kite's I people declared he was only 18 years j of age, though he had said he was 23. At the time of the assault Kite was under the influence of drink and had a sudden brainstorm. His Honour said he was glad the jury had disagreed on the manslaughter count, for in his view there was a distinct hiatus in the chain of evidence on that. But he felt the Verdict on the assault charge was justified. The Court had to consider the public. It was obvious that the prisoner, a powerful young man, had several times struck a Hindu, de- { scribed as a poor weakling, inflicting I very grave injuries. j His Honour was quite sure the i Maori people understood the gravity j of the offence and, that decent Maoris disapproved of such conduct. ;