Farmers’ Feud Ends In Handshakes

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1941, Page 2

Farmers’ Feud Ends In Handshakes

A feud of 18 months’ standing, between two Kokopu families culminated when the parties shook hands in the Whangarei Court this morning. They were Stephen Malone and his family and Felix Leca and his wife. Felix Leca had appeared at court Charged that, at Kokopu on December 19, he did assault. Stephen Malone and that, on the same date at Kokopu, he did behave in a threatening manner in a public place. On the first charge the presiding Justices (Messrs F. Farmer and L. G. Michaels) convicted and ordered Leca to pay costs, while on the second he was convicted and discharged Bound Over to Keep Peace, Leca was bound over to keep the peace on-a bond of £2OO self and two sureties each of £IOO. Leca, who pleaded guilty, was represented by Mr A. M. Steadman, while Mr D. L. Ross watched proceedings on behalf of the other interested party, Malone.

Senior-Sergeant-. A. Henderson, \yho prosecuted, said that Leca was a farmer residing with his wife and family at Kokopu and Malone was on a neighbouring farm. About 18 months ago Leca and Malone had fallen out over a wager. A disturbance had taken place between Leca and Malone on July 22 last, obscene and indecent language being used between the two parties. As a result of this both had been prosecuted in the Whangarei court, the magistrate warning them as to their conduct.

Since that date Malone had not spoken to Leca and had ignored him. Leca, however, had from time to time shouted out at Malone as he passed near where Leca was working and on one occasion he had challenged Malone to a fight. The challenge was ignored.

Threat Alleged.

On December 19, Kokopu residents had held a Christmas tree function for children. Prior to that date Leca had sent messages to Malone by several persons telling Malone that if he went to the function he (Leca) would make trouble and he did not care if he were arrested.

Leca had been approached by neighbours and asked not to cause trouble, but he had said he was determined to show up Malone in front of everyone. The police had then been communicated with and asked to be present at the function.

Leca, apparently being aware that the police had been notified, had laid in wait with his wife for Malone at a suspension bridge, the only outlet from Malone’s farm. The Malones had seen the Lecas at the bridge about 5 p.m., and, thinking there might be trouble, they had sent their 13-year-old daughter to a neighbour’s place to ask that the police be informed,

When the daughter had reached the bridge she had been stopped by Leca, who would not let her cross.

“Biggest Fight You Ever Saw.”

Leca had said to the girl: “You had better go home and tell your father there is to be the biggest fight you ever saw down here tonight.” The girl had returned home, and, when Malone, his wife and family, had started for the hall at about 7 p.m., they had been stopped at the bridge by Leca and his wife, who were armed with tea-tree sticks.

These sticks were produced in the court by the police, both being sturdy pieces of wood about four feet long. One still had marks of blood on it.

Continuing, Senior-Sergeant Henderson said that Leca had previously run his tractor up against the door of Malone’s garage to prevent Malone getting Jr is car out, the car shed being across the bridge from Malone’s house. When the Malones had approached the bridge Leca had cried out: “Are you going to the Christmas tree?” Malone had replied: “That is my business,” and Leca had said: “Well, you are not going, none of you.” Leca and his wife had then raised their sticks and gone to strike Patrick Malone, who was in front. Fall Over Bridge. A scuffle had ensued in which Leca had got much the worse of the encounter, falling off the bridge a distance of about eight feet. Leca had alleged, when arrested, that one of the Malones had struck him with a spanner, but this was denied by all the Malones who were present, i After the scuffle was over and Leca had had enough, he allowed the Malones to proceed, going in front of them to the hall, where the Christmas tree was being held. Leca was cut and bleeding, the front of his clothes being covered with blood. v He had upset the party. He had still wanted to fight the Malones at the hall. Leca had been arrested at the hall and charged the next day, being remanded for medical observation. The report of the medical officer at the gaol (the report being produced) showed that there was no evidence of | mental defect.

Actions of a Highwayman. However, said Senior-Sergeant Henderson, Leca’s actions at the time of and leading up to the assault, had not been those of a normal man, but more like those of a highwayman. Leca’s conduct over the last 18 months had alarmed the residents of the Kokopu district. The police had received several complaints and Malone and his family had just cause to believe that Leca would attempt to do them further injury. Senior-Sergeant Henderson, then suggested to the Bench that Leca be made to enter into a recognisance of the peace.

Leca had already suffered punishment, having been locked up for two weeks, over the Christmas and New Year holidays. In view of this, the police were not pressing for further imprisonment, but there must be some satisfactory. guarantee that Leca would keep the peace.

Wants to Live In Peace.

“Malone wants to live in peace with his neighbours,” said Mr Ross. “He will go so far as to shake hands with Mr and Mrs Leca, in an endeavour to settle the disputes.” Mr Ross them said that Malone was concerned that there 'should be no repitition of previous occurrences. “In a British community, such conduct is not tolerated,” said Mr Ross, “and Mr and Mrs Leca must understand this, amd, with a change of heart, live at peace with their neighbours.”

“Leca has been labouring under a sense of injustice,” said Mr Steadman. “For many of his difficulties he, rightly or wrongly, blamed Malone.”

Mr Steadman then said that Leca now realised that liis conduct had been wrong and that in future there would be no cause for •further complaints. ,

Bench Suggestion.

In giving their decisions, the justices told Leca that it would be best,for all if he accepted ' Malone’s offer and shook hands before leaving the court. “There will be no more fights in Kokopu,” - said > Leca. “There is enough fighting over the other side of the world.” • As Leca stepped from the dock at the conclusion of the case, he was met by Malone and hands were shaken.