MAORI ARRESTED

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 7

MAORI ARRESTED

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON ELDERLY MAN (United Press Association) GISBORNE, February 25. A Maori labourer named Ngaore Taunoa, aged about 60, was admitted to the Cook hospital this afternoon suffering from head injuries alleged to have been received as the result of another native striking him with an axe handle. The alleged assault was committed on the property of Mr T. Craill, Patutahi, about 3 p.m. Taunoa, it is stated, was attacked suddenly when the other Maori, who is a much younger man, made an unexpected appearance on the property. The trouble, it is alleged, had been brewing for some months. About a fortnight ago, the young man disappeared from the district and had not been seen again until today. Craill heard a commotion just about the time when the men were going to stop work for a “smoko,” and saw Taunoa running toward his house with blood flowing freely. The police at Patutahi were communicated with and a search was made for the alleged assailant, who was lying with a gun among some corn. Several young men surrounded him with guns and kept him cornered until the return of the police. He submitted without resistance, and will appear before the court at Gisborne this morning.