ASSAULT AT RATANA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 428, 20 November 1930, Page 6

ASSAULT AT RATANA

KEEPER OF TEMPLE GROUNDS FRANTIC TELEGRAM TO POLICE. RESULT OF MISUNDERSTANDING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Al A ETON, Nov. 19. More of the trouble which took place at Ratana Pa last Friday was heard in the Marton Court today when Kocti Watt Rawiti Taniatea was charged that he did unlawfully assault Mrs Awarua To Poi by striking her on the back with the butt of a pea riflo and also Mrs Te Roi Mirama by striking her on the fore-head likewise. Ho was arrested by Constable Hercock, and had been kept in custody from the day of arrest till his appearance to-day in court. He was further charged that on the same occasion he presented a firearm at persons.

Constable Thompson, in his statement, said that the affair at first glance would appear to be very serious. The evidence would disclose that the whole thing arose from a misunderstanding due to c!‘tinges in the internal organisation of the Pa; and was far from being as bad as it seemed. The accused had been appointed head gardener years ago by Ratana, and his particular trust was the temple grounds. He had always boon a most eonscientous worker and was an unassuming, honourable man—a fine type of the Maori race. Violence was fat from his nature in the ordinary. Put recently there had been some reorganisation by Afr Ratana. who had shortly after left the Pa, without telling the accused anything of this. After Ratana left, his son made various appointments, among these being the two women to the gardens. Accused had heard runxirs of these appointments, and on making inquiries, was told that things were all right, from which he inferred that he had still the same authority as before. This authority was to the extent of keeping everybody out of the temple grounds. On the morning of Friday last he saw these two women in the gardens and asked Airs Awarua to leave. He had a pea-rifle in his hand at the time. She refused and argued and it is supposed accused lost his patience for he struck her on the back with the butt of the rifle in a moment of anger. The other woman rushed to her assistance ami to resist her, the accused had forced her head back by pushing on her forehead with the barrel which inflicted a cut. A hostile crowd gathered, and in the excitement, accused put the rifle to his shoulder, ordering all away or it would be the worse for them. There was no suggestion that the rifle was loaded, though accused had some cartridges in his pocket. The acting post master, a native, sent a frantic message to the Alarton Police Station and on receipt of this Constable Hercock and Dr Church went out post haste, to find that the only damages were a bruised back and a cut forehead. Constable Thompson went on to state that he had known the accused for many years. He had always been a law-abiding citizen and had frequently proved helpful to the police. By striking the woman, he was under the im pression that he was doing his duty to Ratana, as his Lieutenant. There had been suggestions that various undercurrents were at work in the Pa. That he denies. The accused stated that if released, he was willing to return to his farm at Pahiatua, and hand over all literature that he possessed pertaining to Ratana Pa. Constable Thompson attributed the appearance in Court of the accused to his taking Ratana’s word as law, whch he was prepared to defend to his utmost.

Mr Watson: “In short, this thing is the result of a misunderstanding, which is more than likely to occur where so many people are gathered together.” The accused stated that he had noth ing to add to Constable Thompson’s statement. He left himself entirely at the court’s disposal and thanked Constable Thompson for his help. Air Watson, summing up the evidence so far given, said that regarding the mistake he had little to say except that it was caused by the internal organisa tion. The message sent had been couched in exaggerated terms and expenses amounting to £5 5s had been incurred. Tt would he unfair to impose them on the accused. They should fall on the Pa and he asked Air Ratana Jnr., who was in Court, to agree to pay all expenses. This was promised. It was further disclosed that despite years of unremitting service, the accused was in poor circumstances. H: was convicted and fined 20s on each charge.