SECOND EDITION. AWAHURI SENSATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17057, 11 June 1926, Page 10

SECOND EDITION. AWAHURI SENSATION.

/VLLEGED violent assault

MAItl/riAL DIFFERENCES

(Per Press Association.)

I'ALMERSTOX N.. this day

Arising out of a sensation at Awahuri cm . the niglit of February 10, Ernest Taniwlia Sutherland, a half-caste Maorij was charged at the Police Court with attempting to kill his wife, Rangianaua Sutherland ; with wilfully setting ike to the' dwelling house of his father-in-law, Richard Drummond, and futher with assaulting his mother-in-law, Ngaere Drunimond, and causing her actual bodily harm.

Senior Detective Quirk for the police said that Mrs Sutherland had been contemplating a separation from her husband and proceedings were being taken in the Feildirig Court the day following the alleged assault. About midnight on February 10, Mrs. Sutherland, with her mother and father, with whom she was living, were awakened by a noise and flames. As the result of the injuries received, Mrs Sutherland was admitted to the Palmerstou hospital on the following day and remained there until May 29. ' Even now she is , not yet properly well. Mrs Drummond, as a result of her injuries, bad been in hospital a, little over a fortnight. The case was a simple one, the accused having lost his head and' resorted to violence.

Ra.ngiananai Sutherland! gave evidence that Sutherland was living apart from her in a hut a mile from her father's home. At midnight she heard a noise outside Iter father's home and went to investigate, when her husband approached and struck her with a blunt instrument. Ha then made off into the niglit. While in hospital witness received, a letter from her husband asking forgiveness and pleading for reconciliation.

Richard Drummond, said that on being awakened lie went outside, and found sacks and old clothes burning' under the bouse. On pulling them.'out Sutherland struck witness with a garden hoe. (proceeding.)