ASSAULTING A POLICEMAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5344, 3 December 1919, Page 7

ASSAULTING A POLICEMAN.

MAORI SENT TO PRISON

NO OPTION ON FINE ALLOWED

Charged with assaulting Constable Buttenvorth while in the execution of his duty a Maori named Puriri came before Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., yesterday.

Sergeant Clarkson said that the obstruction and assaulting of the police while in the discharge of their duty was becoming too common in Gisborne, especially by Maoris. In this particular case two citizens came to the assistance of the constable and he thought they deserved credit for their action.

Constable Bntterworth gave evidence that at 7.30 p.m. on Monday he arrested another native on a charge of disorderly conduct, and when accused came uti and struck him he let go the man he had in charge and arrested accused. Piriri was showing signs of drink, hut was not drunk.

Accused pleaded that he was drunk and did not know that he was in gaol until ho woke up next morning.

His Worship said accused was convicted of a serious charge and one for which the law provided a heavy penalty. It was no excuse to sav that he was drunk. Those who got drunk and did such things had to take the consequences. The constable said that the blow was not a heavy one and' that was taken into account in fixing the penalty. It should he known that when a man assaults a constable he goes to gaol without the option of a fine. Accused would ho imprisoned for three days with hard labor.