ASSAULTING THE POLICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16963, 27 March 1917, Page 3

ASSAULTING THE POLICE

CHINESE ON THE DEFENSIVE.

POLICE OR LARRIKINS?

Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting in the City Police Court yesterday, iidjudioated in the case in which James and Charles Kui were charged with having committed an assault on Sergeant Thomson at i'orbury on the 10th inst.

They pleaded not guilty, and were defended by Mr A. 0/ Haulon. Sub-inspector Mathieson conducted tho prosecution.

, borgeant Thomson deposed that when he went to Kui's place on the second visit he saw some silver coins on the table that were not there before. James Kui then complained of having been robbed and assaulted. The elder was making a great noise and - he (the sergeant) put his hand over the Chinaman's mouth to stop him. On the first visit the two accused were standing outside the door with Constable M'Lennan. James obtained a stick and Charles got a pitchfork. Witness then left. He did not hear the Chinaman calling out "Larrikin steal my money," but they were calling out a good deal. Tho police lie knew were telephoned for at St. Clair. Afterwards the Central Police station was run<T up and told that larrikins were trying to oreak into the Chinaman's place. He wont to accused's hut to search the place, if convenient, or if he thought it wise, and examined the bed to see whether the men had been smoking opium. He did not search for opium, but examined the side of the bed to satisfy himself. He received a severe blow from a bamboo rod, a on tho right knee, and a wound from the pitchfork on the right arm. He would not call the wound a severe one." M'Lennan said he accompanied Sergeant Thomson to the accused's place. The sergeant said he was going to search for opium. When they got there Charles ran into the yard and took up a pitchfork. Sergeant Thomson was struck on the right leg by James Kui. The sergeant and witness retreated to a barbed wire fence. When they got to the door Charles said, "What for yoi. raid me again?" The accused h-id been visited about six months before. Witness did not hear anyone cry out that larrikins were taking money. To Mr Hanlon : On reaching tho accused's hut Sergeant Thomson pushed the door, and 'both went in. The sergeant sat on the corner of the table. Ono of the accused was reading a newspaper. There was no money on view on the table. , The sergeant told the accused, who he and witness were. The sergeant said he had come to search for opium, as he was told thero was smoking going on. There was a funny smell, but ho could not say whether it was that of opium. There wore no pipes or paraphernalia used in opium-smoking; but they did not search. He did not hear cither of tho accused say, "You steal my money." The accused wero considered intelligent Chinamen. The sergeant was struck with a piece of wood. It was not a fact that the police were trying to get out of a bad job in having searched for opium without finding any.' After the accused had seen Sergeant Thomson return in uniform they reported to the South Dunedin police that larrikins had been trying to rob their place. When the police visited the place subsequently in uniform an interpreter was present. He did not hear anything said to the effect that no further action, would bo taken if nothing 'was said. _ At tho close of the case for tho prosecution, Mr Hanlon said: it was to bo regretted that the police had not paid their visit to the Chinamen in uniform, for then they would have been respecte'd. Ho would show that Sergeant Thomson went into the Chinamen's room, sat on the corner of the table, and make a grab at some money lying on the table, not with the intention of taking it but probably as a joke. Tin's was resented by tho Chinamen, who gripped the sergeant by the wrist and ran to tho neighbours to raise an alarm. One of them had £800 on his person, and was naturally alarmed at the action of tho men, and took stops to protect his property. Jp.-tks Tv;i'. ono of tho accused, "partly in piffoon English nnd partly through an in|PVPr-<<->\ ?:iid ho was a market gardener at Forbury.' Ono n : ght two men came to hi> plat , " , . He did not know rhey wore r>olicr\ hut thought them two larrikins. The serffint sat on the corner of the table whero witness wus counting his money. ITe >;aifl "Good day." Wtncs-s said, "Wh.it you do?" The sergeant put his hand on tho money and witness caught him by the hand. The sergeant hit witness and kicked him. and told him t/> go away. The sergeant wont away. W/tnoss told Charlie to go-awny to see some p"opl" as _larr : kins had come in. Ho liked the r>olif"mnn to come in. but did not liko larrikins to conn-.. Chadfe came back -n ; th tho other policeman (Constable M'Lennan). Witness rushed for a stick, and the two nolieemen run off. W'tncss might have li : t tp li" '".-ns ouf '->nr' ho did not moan to injure anyone. .After the men left witness went to M'lndoe's to set them to ring up tho police stat'on. Ho i.iW _ tho police (!mt two larrikins wero stealinjr his money, nnd they said "All ricrht, two policemen will be sent out." The police came to witness's hut soon after in Uniform. aJid all of tWn went ietn Ova