SERIOUS ASSAULT ON TEARAROA CONSTABLE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6893, 26 April 1929, Page 7

SERIOUS ASSAULT ON TEARAROA CONSTABLE

ELEVEN ARRESTS. RESCUERS ARM THEMSELVES WITH PICKAXES. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, April 24. At Teararoa on Saturday night a serious fracas occurred when a mob of excited Maoris, with one or two Europeans, attacked and assaulted Qonstable Thom. Cries of “kill him! kill him!” were heard by white residents, a number of whom went 'to ..the constable’s assistance, and in a few 'moments a strenuous struggle ensued, the constable ’s helpers finding it necessary to arm themselves with pick handles before the unruly mob could be quelled. Two of the constable’s assailants were knocked out in the affray and placed under arrest. Eight others were caught on Monday and one yesterday. The trouble arose when Constable Thom had occasion to eject from a picture theatre a Maori who was causing a disturbance. A little later he was called out of the theatre and found two natives fighting, one of whom took to his heels. The constable gave chase, but was mot by two pakchas and several Maoris, who adopted a hostile attitude. One pakelia three a stone which struck the officer in the back of the nock and knocked him to the ground. Tho mob then fell on the constable. Some caught him by the throat, others punching and kicking him. Tho shouts attracted the attention of a number of Europeans who hastened to the rescue.

The constable by this time was in a sorry plight, and securing pick handles from a neighbouring store, they soon quelled tho disturbance. Several of the mob had their heads cut open and other injuries were inflicted.

Fortunately, none of the defenders was knocked out, although several received painful blows. Constable Thom was a member of the Palmerston North police force until about eight months ago, when ho was transferred to Teararoa. .