MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Grey River Argus, 15 October 1936, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

FOOTBALLER’S DEATH The Maori Case . (Per Press Association). PALMERSTON NORTH, October 14. Concurrently with an inquest by the Coroner, on Bernai'l Edward Rogers. 25. a -Maori foot ba tier, who died on September 24, as the result of injuries received on 'the previous evening, a charge of manslaughter is being heard by Air Stout, S.M., aga’nst Hawea Mataira. a well-known footballer, of Hastings, it being alleged that 'accused struck deceased. Dr. North, Superintendent of the Hospital, described the injuries to deceased's head, which, he said, could have been caused by a heavy blow or a heavy fall on the back of his head. They were too severe to have been (caused by clenched fist. 1 Fitgenald Bell, freezing hand, Palmerston North, said that after the Australia —Maori football match, he called at the Maoris’ hotel to see Mata'ra. Witness found the latter, with four or five others, in a room where there was a half-gallon ja'r of beer. Later, when witness was on the bed alone, holding a jersey Mataira. lead worn that day, Rogers ctinio in, claiming the jersey. Deceased had been drinking, and was very aggressive. He wanted' to fight witness. Mataira. came into the room, and witness informed him what had happened. Mataira told Rogers that lie had given witness the jersey, and wanted the argument stopped. Mataira and deceased left the room, and went into the passage. Witness remained in the room. He heard a noise downstairs, and went to the backyard, where he saw Mataira. standing close by Rogers who was on the ground and unconscious. He helped to carry him to the hotel, before the doctor arrived. Evidence was given by Charles Winiata. labuier, of Waipawa, that ho had severl drinks with accused, who. announced his intention of attending a dance. Witness loft at six o’clock, and returned for accused at 9.15 p.m. When he approached the latter’s room he heard an argument. Witness heard Rogers say to Mataira, ‘Come outside.” Accused replied, refusing, and said: “I did not come here to fight.” Accused was more or less sober. Rogers was pretty drunk, and a bit unsteady. Deceased and accused left the room for the backyard, where deceased turned, asked accused if he was ready, and then struck at him. Accused ducked, and hit back, striking deceased with his fist in the face. Deceased foil in the open space in the doorway. They then assisted him to his feet. Accused said that he did not want to fight. Deceased took off his coat, and both started sparing. Witness next saw deceased fall on his back, after a blow in the face. Accused was defending himself when the final blow was struck. Detective Power submitted a statement made by accused, in which he said that they were both a bit muddled.’ Referring to the incident in the backyard, accused said that after hitting deceased twice, he tried to smooth matters over, but deceased persisted in fighting, and fell back on the concrete after a blow. Accused felt t.he gash in deceased’s head, and summoned' help.

Mr. Ongly. for accused, submitted that there was no ease for a jury, ias accused acted in self-defence. The Magistrate said that it was his duty to send the case to the Grand Jury. Accused pleaded' not guilty, reserved his defence, and was commitcd for trial at the Supreme Court next week. He was admitted to bail. The Coroner returned a formal verdict that deceased' died from brain injuries and a fracture of the skull, sustained through falling on a concrete floor, from' a blow delivered by Mataira, during a fight. ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. WANGANUI, October 14. On a charge of the attempted murder of his wife, a Maori, Matthew Hill of I’utiki, was committed for trial. Evidence showed' that the accused, wlho had suspicious regarding his brother-in-law and his wife, left home to go to the pictures on the night ot October 3. but returned shortlv after He got a rifle and in a scuttle this was discharged, a bullet going through the roof. The brother-in-law and the accused then started to fight. The wife gave evidence that she was putting one of the children to bed, when her husband returned. The child was sleeping in a room' with the brother-in-law. She alleged that her husband punched her on the head and shoulders. She crabbed at the gun. and as soon as she put her hands on 't, the weapon discharged.