FATAL FRACAS

Evening Star, Issue 22470, 15 October 1936, Page 16

FATAL FRACAS

TJH OF MA9ai FOOTBALLER [Per United Press Association.! PALMERSTON N., October 14. Concurrently with the inquest by the coroner on Bernard Edward Rogers, aged 25, the Maori footballer, who died on September 24 as the result of injuries received the previous evening, a charge of manslaughter was heard by Mr J. L. Stout S.M., against liawea Mataira, a well-known footballer, of Hastings. Evidence was given by Charles AA'iniata, a labourer, of AA’aipawa. He said he had had several drinks with the accused, who announced his intention of attending the dance. AA’itness left at 6 o’clock, and returned for the accused at 9.16. AVhen he approached the latter’s room he heard an argument. AA’itness heard Rogers say to Mataira: “ Come outside.” The accused replied: “ 1 did not come here to fight.” The accused was more or less sober, but Rogers was pretty drunk, and was a bit unsteady. The deceased and the accused left the room for the back yard, where the deceased turned and asked the accused if he was ready. He then struck at him. The accused ducked and hit back, striking the deceased with his list in the face. The deceased fell in an open space in the doorway. AA’itncss then assisted him to Ins feet. The accused said lie did not want to fight. The deceased took off his coat, and both started sparring. 'AA’itness next saw the deceased fall on his back after receiving a blow in the face. The accused was defending himself when the final blow was struck. Detective Power submitted a statement by the accused, in which ho said that both were a bit muddled. l?e----ferring to the incident in the backyard, the accused said that after hitting the deceased twice bo tried to smooth matters over, but the deceased nersisted in fighting, and fell back on the concrete after t’-e blow. The accused felt the gash on the deceased’s '-cad. and summoned help. Mr Ong’.ey, for the accused, submitted that there was no ease for the inry. Tlio accused bad acted in selfdefence.

The Magistrate said it was his duty to send tho case to tlie grand jury. The accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court next week. Ho was admitted to bail. The Coroner returned a formal verdict that the deceased died from brain injuries—a fracture of the skull—suffered through falling on a concrete floor as fhe result of a blow delivered by Mataira during a light.