EARLY MORNING EPISODE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 May 1928, Page 9

EARLY MORNING EPISODE.

CHINESE WITH A SLASHER. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, May 21. An elderly Chinese named Yip Wall, appeared in the Napier Magistrate's Court this morning, pleading guilty' to a charge of being a rogue and a vagabond. Statements by- the police showed that defendant had a grudge against a Maori named Chase. Defendant had come to grips with Chase and threatened to use a knife upon him. A. Maori friend invited Chase to sleep in his house for safety and Chase did so, taking the precaution to place across the door a piece of iron piping which would fall should anyone open the door of the room. . Elarly in the morning Chase was awakened by the sound of the piping falling. He found defendant with a formidable slasher, about four feet in length, with a blade three feet long, The 'Maori was able to overpower his assailant without injury. For -the. defendant, counsel stated that his client was in financial difficulties which was preying on his mind, with the result that he was now slightly mentally defective. On the undertaking of a Chinese friend that defendant would be sent to Wellington or Masterton to friends who would find employment for him, the Magistrate decided to convict and order defendant to come up f°r senten e if called upon.