SADDLER ROBBED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 105, 3 April 1926, Page 15

SADDLER ROBBED

MAORIS USE VIOLENCE. THRILLING~STORY TOLD. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, April 1. A thrilling story was told in the Magistrate’s Court at Ruatoria yesterday when, three Maoris, named Ihimera Patunaua, Huka Takurua and Manahi Nukunuku, appeared on a charge of robbery, with personal violence. The victim was a saddler named Albert Edward Orange. In evidence, Orange stated that after closing his shop at about 7.30 p.m. on March 27, he went to his bedroom behiud the shop. He had about 23s in silver and 13 £1 notes in his pocket. He lay reading till about 8.45, when he put out the lamp and went to sleep. People coming from the pictures woke him up. Shortly afterwards he heard someone approaching, and heard a Maori call out “Bert.” Accused Huka Takurua had worked for him for about two months at the beginning of the year, and during that time came to know witness as “Bert.” He also knew what amount of business witness was doing. As far as witness knew, the only person who addressed him as “Bert” w r as Huka Takurua, and it appeared to be accused’s voice calling out on the night in question. Witness took no notice of the visitor until he finally got tired and called out to ask what they wanted. One of those outside said something about a saddle, and witness got up, putting on his trousers containing the money Ho opened the front door of the shop and saw a Maori, who said: “Mr Orange, I have a saddle for you to repair.’ The man went away to where three horses were fastened to a rail and brought a saddle back. Witness examined the saddle and identified the one in court as the same. The Maori said ho had another saddle, and walked round to the opposite side of the shop. TWO MASKED MEN. Witness was waiting for him to bring the saddle when two masked men walked in. One was a short, dark Maori with a mask tied over his faco to the bridge of his nose. The other was a very tall Maori, similarly masked. The taller Maori had a double-barrvlled gun with him, which he presented at witness. The short Maori started fumbling about Orange’s pockets, and witness told him to “cut that game out.” The tall Maori pressed the gun into witness’s chest and said: “Up with your hands. Dop’t make a noise or I’ll blow a hole through you. This is not a joke. We want money.” Witness, to put the intruders oif, said ho had no money. The man with the gun said: “Grab him 1” The shorter onto grabbed witness, at the same time giving him a blow on the mouth, bruising it inside and out. STRUGGLE TAKES PLACE. Witness struggled to prevent them, from robbing him and received another blow, this time behind the ear. It knocked him to the floor, where the same Maori put his knee on his chest and started to strangle him. Witness became unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness he crawled on hands and knees to the door, which was now shut.; He went into the bedroom and returned with a light, to find a big pooof blood where lie had been lying. He then realised what had happened, and a search of his pockets proved that he had been robbed. Later witness struggled to the police station and gave a description of his assailants to the police. Witness said he had not vet recovered from the assault. He had not been ablo to work since, and had not eaten anything. Inspector Eccles, who was at Ruatoria at the time, said a constable reported the matter to him. At Orange s shop witness found a pool of blood, and boot marks round it denoting a struggle. Orange supplied a description of the assailants to Constable Neale, and this, from his local knowledge, enabled him to name two oi the accused at once Accompanied by two constables, witness proceeded to the Wlienuakura Pa, where they found two accused, Takurua and Nukunuku, wrestling. Witness separated them, and the constables searched the house, finding two double-barrelled guns. Witness interviewed Patunaua, who made a statement and produced 5s 3d fiom his pocket, saying that that was liis share of the proceeds. Accused admitted that the gun (produced), one of those found by witness, was the one used in the assault. Witness said that if it had been loaded it was possible. that in the struggle in the shop it 'would have been discharged. The three accused pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence.