REFEREE STRUCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22497, 14 August 1936, Page 16

REFEREE STRUCK

RUGBY INCIDENT TWO MAORI PLAYERS FINED ATTACK AFTER MATCH PROSECUTION AT ROTORUA [BY TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] KOTOIU'A, Thursday An incident following a Rugby niatch at To Wliaiti 011 August 1, when in an argument with the referee two natives lost tlieir tempers and attacked him, knocking him nnconscioii.s, led to the appearance in the Rotorua Magistrate's Court yesterday of I lie two players concerned, Hikarewa To Kll para and Tamahon Tinimana, of' Ruatahuna, charged with assault. The circumstances, outlined by Senior-Sergeant .10. J. Carroll, were that on August 1 a match was played at Te Wliaiti between the home team and a team from Ruatahuna. In the second half there was considerable feeling displayed and the referee, Mr. James Casey, had several times to warn the players. The match ended in favour of To Wliaiti by 13 points to nil, and apparently the Ruatahuna players were both disappointed with their display and in disagreement with some of the rulings of the referee. During the game 0110 of the defendants was heard to remark to the referee, "1 will see you after the niatch." When the match ended Te Knpara and Tinimana had an argument with Mr. Casey, and in the heat of the dispute Te Kupara struck the referee a violent blow in the ribs and knocked liini unconscious. The other native also took Te Kupara's part. Considerable excitement between the players and spectators lollowed, but eventually order was restored and tho referee was revived.

Mr. M. H. Hampson, who appeared for both defendants and pleaded guilty, said that lie agreed that the ofiences were serious, and assured the magistrate that defendants also realised the seriousness of their position and now could see the wisdom of the pakeha attitude toward such incidents. The feeling between the natives of the two villages had always boon of the friendliest nature, and it had been realised that the men by their action had brought their own village into disrepute and injured the friendship between the two peoples. It was safe to sav that the incident would not occur again, and it was hoped that His Worship would take a lenient view of tlio offences.

The magistrate, Mr. S. L. Paterson. said that in view of the assurance that the two natives were sorry for what they had done he would not send them to gaol, but each would have to pay a fine of £l, together with expenses amounting to £1 Is 6.1 on each charge.