Maoris Charged

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1936, Page 8

Maoris Charged

assault on apartment HOUSE OWNER. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND’, October 22- , A special sitting of the Police Cour', was held by. Air Hunt, S.M., in a bedroom, yesterday afternoon, to Uke the depositions of Alfred Coopei ; w 10 was assaulted while reading a newspaper in his bed-sitting room in a Grafton Road apartment house, on the evening of October 13. Two Maoris, who are charged with assault, Jnmes Toko, 32, and Poa Thomas. 27, labourers, were present. Cooper stated that, on the morning of October 13, he went to the fiont door of his apartment house, in response to a knock, and said someone who resembled Toko, who said he was looking for apartments. Witness told him that he had none available. Lhe Maori called to someone, and was joined at the front door by a second Maori Witness turned to go inside, but realised’ that the men were following him closely. He told them that they could nut come in, and they went down the road. The same evening, about. 9,30 o’clock, Toko entered his bed-sitting room. ’“I put <me hand up, and said ‘You must not come in here,’ lie said f lt’s all right. It’s all right.’ The next minute I was knocked down. He rushed at me, and I was severely punched on the face, while I was held down, someone was going through my pockets.” He could not say whether anv money was taken. His artificial teeth were broken. Replying- to Mr. Sullivan, counsel fo r a7’ciised, witness said that he suffered from a weak heart.

The hearing of the charges against. Toko and Thomas will be continued in the Police Court, next week. PEDDLING AT HOTELS WELLINGTON, October 22. The peddling of goods in hotel bars was condemned by a jury in the Wellington Supreme Court. during the hearing of charges against a barman, of theft and’ receiving stolen goods. _ - Mr. Justice Johnstone said that during the case he came to the same conclusion as the jury, that the pinetiee of peddling goods in hotel bars should be stopped. He himself bad debated whether he should not make some pronouncement, ha-d 1 it. been his place to do so. “I am' glad at rhe recommendation coming from the jury, and I assure them that it will be sent to the proper authorities.” added His HonorINDECENT ASSAULT. CHRISTCHURCH, October 20. Two charges of indecent, assault on boys aged 13 and 11 respectively, were preferred against Frederick Leo Archer. Accused pleaded not guilty. After a retirement of an hour the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, on both counts. Archer was remanded for sentence.