Maori's Strange Conduct

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 4

Maori's Strange Conduct

Crashes Through Window and Hides in Bush EXCITING NIGHT IN HALCOMBE DISTRICT At a late hour on Monday night u Tokorangi Alaori, wanted by tho police in connection with an assault charge, surrendered to the Feilding police following a series of exciting incidents which occurred at Tokorangi ou Thursday last. Tho Alaori, whoso name is Isaac Johnson, alias Dick Johnson, aged 28 years, was yesterday remanded on tho charge and removed j lo the Palmerston North Hospital fori surgical treatment to an injured leg. Johnson’s rather strange conduct was productive of no little excitement in the Halcombe district on Friday last following tho incident which occurred in a settler’s homo lato on the previous evening. It appears that during the hight the occupants were disturbed by tho sounds made by a trespasser and despite a search the intruder could not bo found. Quite unsettled by the Untoward incident and confident that there was still someone in the residence the occupants crowded into one room where they remained for the night. Early on tho Friday morning one of j the farm hands, on passing tho house. I found a pile of male clothing outside a window and unablo to reason why, j called the aid of another farm hand | employed on the property. Learning of the happenings overnight the two men entered a bedroom in the house and there found Johnson in a bed. Immediately he was wakened Johnson leaped out of bed in his almost naked condition and crashed through tho bedroom window and made for the bush. Word was sent to the Feilding and | Bulls police while one of the men, Air. G. R. Elgar set off after the Alaori. J It is alleged that as Elgar approached j the native Johnson picked up a piece j of wood to defend himself and aimed a blow at Elgar. Fortunately Elgar closed in to avoid the force o e the blow but received immediately afterwards a heavy punch on his jaw. knocking hin. out. The Maori then decamped into the bush and despite a. police search on the Fridaj’ he was net discovered. A watch was maintained on the Tokorangi pa but Johnson failed to appear and it was not until lato on Afondav night thßt he gave himself up in Feilding. Ho was iu a weakened condition and Suffering from a cut on the forehead aj> well as a very deep gasli just below the knee of one leg. These injuries, it appears, he received when he crashed through the window. Ho was given medical attention in Feilding but as the leg wound was deep and serious instructions were given for Johnson to be removed to the Palmerston North hospital wliero tho wound will have to bo stitched. The accused was brought before Air V. E. Smith, .T.P., at the Feilding Courthouse yesterday when Sergeant Turner applied for a remand and briefly stated the circumstances.