Three Maoris Charged With Assault and Robbery

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 6

Three Maoris Charged With Assault and Robbery

ALLEGED ATTACKS ON CONSTABLE AND TAXI DRIVES Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Last Night. * Allegations that he was kicked iu thn ribs and hammered about the head when he was assaulted by three Maoris on the night of February 25 were made by Raymond Walter George Buvidson in evidence in the Magistrate’s Court, Napier, when tho Maoris appeared on remand before Mr. J. Miller, S.M. The Maoris. Mason Tihemu, aged 31, Sonne Burton, aged 19, and Henry Burton, aged 26, were charged with assaulting Constable John Henry Cummings and with robbing Davidson, a taxidriver, of Napier, of £3 8s 9d with violence. Accused were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Davidson said that about 10 p.m. on February 25 he picked up five passengers ar*d drove them to Sale street, where they asked him to stop. The three accused got out. Sonne Burton then accused witness of getting the police earlier in the evening. There v.aa no policeman present at the time. Witness was seized from behind by one of tho accused and his arms were held while the other two attacked him with their fists. Witness was quite satisfied he was struck hy the three accused. He had £4 5s 9d in tho outside pocket of his dustcoat when u.ssaultcd but only three or four shillings after the assault. Witness was held against a corrugated iron fence until someone said the police wero coming when he freed himself and accused went off. Witness in his car chased two who went in tho direction of Munro streec and caught them before they vynt through a fence into the railway yj#ds. He ran the car between the fence and the Maoris and cut them off. Bonne Burton then jumped on the running board and struck witness. Witness reversed the car on to the street, got out and attacked Sonne Burton, knocked him down and held him by the throat. Mason Tihema arrived to help Burton and then witness and Tihema fought. Henry Burton then arrived and one or two of the accused kicked witness in the ribs and hammered him about the head. Witness managed to hold them a minute or two but they escaped. The police arrived a minute or so after accused had disappeared. At no time during the evening did witness give accused reason for the attack. They appeared very friendly. After the fight in Munro street 17s was found on tho ground but no money was picked up in Sale street. Constable Cummings said that when he attempted to arrest the Maoris Mason Tihema said: “You are not going to take us to the police station. We own New Zealand.” Henry Burton said: “To hell with you,” and pushed witness in the stomach. The other two accused , adopted a fighting attitude aud struck t witness in the face and body. Witness ; then struck Henry Burton with his baton. At the police station witness searched accused. Mason Tihema had a ; pound note and 5s in silver, Bonne BurI ton a pound note and 8s 9d in silver, • and Henry Burton 29s 7d iu their pos- [ session. At the station Henry Burton . said: “Let the others go. I did it.” i The three accused pleaded not guilty . and their counsel (Mr. Nash) rcser\«4 , his defence. i Mr. Nash asked for bail, which was opposed by the police,