STREET FRACAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 8

STREET FRACAS

CONSTABLE INJURED I

MAORIS BEFORE COURT. | I F«r Ffmi AMocindon. I HASTINGS, Feb. 5. j A sequel to the recent street fracas | in Hastings as a result of which Constable A. Sutherland had to enter the | Napier Hospital for facial injuries, alI legedly sustained from a kick by a -Maori, was enacted at the Hastings Police Court this morning, when a Maori youth, Walter Poki, was charged with, ou .January 18, at Hastings, assaulting Constable Sutherland in the execution of his duty so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Arising out of the same facts another Maori, Luckie Sullivan, was charged with, on the same date, using obscene language, disorderly behaviour, and also with resisting a constable in the execution of his duty. The police, evidence was that the constable saw a group of Maoris under the, influence of liquor, behaving in a disorderly manner and using obscene language. After a warning had been ignored he arrested Sullivan. Poki interfered and a fight resulted, in which the, constable received injuries from kicks which kept him in hospital .12 days, the most serious being a double fracture of a cheek bone. After receiving assistance from bystanders the constable arrested Poki and another constable subsequently arrested Sullivan. On the major charges both pleaded not guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court at Napier for trial. Sullivan was committed for trial on the indictable charge of using obscene language. On the charge of resisting the constable he was fined £3. He was conx ietd and discharged on the other minor on condition that he takes out a Z’n.ibition order.