MANGERE ASSAULT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 25, 21 April 1927, Page 13

MANGERE ASSAULT

ACCUSED IN COURT STIFF FINE IMPOSED ASSAILANTS SENT FOR TRIAL What has been described as “The Mangere Bridge Opium Case,” came before the Onehunga Bench this morning the sitting justices being Messrs. D. Sutherland and J. E. Green.

John Boys, a young man described as a cook on board the s.s. Marama, was charged that on April 13 he was found to be in the unlawful possession of four tins of smoking opium. Representing the customs authorities, Mr. A. V. Penn said such persons as cooks and other men employed on board ships really held the key of the position in regard to the illegal trading in opium, and the offence was viewed by the department as most serious. The Bench imposed a penalty of £3O, or one month’s imprisonment and refused to allow time for payment. CHARGES OF ASSAULT Two respectably-attired young men —Lawrence Macey and Roy Morrison —were then charged with having seriously assaulted and robbed the above-named John Boys. Boys’ evidence was to the effect that on April 13, on the arrival at Auckland from Sydney of the Marama Macey went aboard and asked him if he had any opium to sell. By arrangement Boys obtained four tins of opium from another person on the boat, and carrying it in a suitcase went with both prisoners on a tramcar ride to Onehunga. At the Manukau Hotel each- man had two drinks and then all three went across the bridge toward Mangere. presumably to find the person who had promised to buy the opium for which Boys had demanded £3B on behalf of the owner. Some very suspicious “manoeuvring” took place between the two accused, but Morrison declared that everything would be all right. Suddenly Macey, who was walking slightly at the rear, struck Boys on the back of the head, felling him. Morrison grabbed the case and then both the accused battered and punched Boys very forcibly. Dr. H. Tewsley, medical officer at Mount Eden Gaol said the injuries were not of a permanent nature. Accused were committed for trial at the Supreme Court.