MAORI COUPLES ESCAPADE

Hawera Star, 13 January 1930, Page 4

MAORI COUPLES ESCAPADE

MAN RESISTS ARREST. WIFE ALSO DRUNK “This man is most violent when in drink, and some- time ago shot a house and a dog when in a fit of temper,” said Sergeant Henry of John Hunt, a quarter-caste Alaori, aged 33, who appeared before Alessrs J. S. Alurray and J. AI. Townsend, J’s.P., in the Hawera Police Court this morning, charged with being found drunk in High Street on Saturday and with having resisted the police. “Hunt recently came before the Supz-eme Court at New Plymouth, where lie was committed for trial for slashing his wife’s wrist with a razor, but she would not testify against him and he got out of the charge,” proceeded the sergeant. About 3.15 Hunt had been seen in Princes Street under the influence of liquor and had been warned to go home. However, he had taken no notice, and he and his wife had been seen later in High Street. The pair were prohibited, but both had been drunk. Sergeant Henry added that he had arrested the woman and Constable Donovan the man. When the pair were being placed in a. taxi, Hunt had resisted violently and a big crowd had gathered, it taking five to seven minutes before Hunt could be put into ; the car. There had been a large number of natives about at the time, and the incident might easily have led to a serious disturbance. Hunt had been before the court on previous occasions, charged with being found drunk, assault. and theft. When sober he was quite a decent resident. On the charge of resisting arrest, Hunt was convicted and fined £5, in default three months’ imprisonment. The Bench added that if he appeared again under similar circumstances probably he would not be given the option of a fine. On the drunkenness change he was convicted and discharged, and ordered to. pay 3s ca’> hire. Kuratau Wharemati, wife of the previous accused, likewise had nothing to say in answer to a charge of having been found drunk. She was fined £l, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment.