Alleged Attack On Mangonui County Chairman Wife

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1938, Page 5

Alleged Attack On Mangonui County Chairman Wife

I||AEA[A HERE, A MAORI WOMAN, OF WHANGAPE, WHO RECENTLY CAME VERY PROMINENTLY BEFORE THE PUBLIC IN CONNECTION WITH THE REMOVAL OF SUR\ EY PEGS. IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED ANOTHER SENSATION. The woman, when before the court for her first offence, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, but on a re-hearing being granted was placed cn probation, without imprisonment, for twelve months. Her resentment against the action in opening up a road through land ever which she regarded herself as having some rights again broke into open revolt on Christmas Day, it is alleged, when she tore up and burnt a culvert which had been put down, following this by digging a drain three feet by four feet across the road. When two brothers named Gordon attempted to pass, she held them up and pelted them with stones.

Further Assault Alleged. It is alleged that theye was a further and more serious attack on people using the road on Saturday, January 8, when a party of 30 or 40 people passed along the road on their way to the beach, where they were to spend the day picnicking. The party drove as far as they could and, leaving their cars, set out to walk the rest of the distance. Mr W. Vickers, chairman of the Mangonui County Council, and Mrs Vickers were members of the party, and were amongst the last of those making the trip. Mrs Heke was waiting for the pleas-ure-seeker's and was well prepared. Pushed Down Bank. It is alleged that she attacked Mrs Vickers, an. elderly woman, and pushed her down a steep bank about 14 feet high, causing serious injuries to her head and leaving her in an unconscious condition. A doctor was sent for and attended to Mrs Vickers throughout the afternoon. When Mr Vickers saw that his wife was menaced, he rushed forward and, it is alleged, was attacked by Dan Heke, the husband. He defended himself with his walking stick, and some of the party rushed to his assistance, putting an end of further trouble.

Mrs Heke was previously brought before a properly constitued court, presided over by a magistrate, and was sentenced to imprisonment. A re-hear-ing was granted at the request or direction of the Native Department. The woman, on the re-hearing, was granted probation.