TAIHAPE NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 December 1950, Page 2

TAIHAPE NEWS

SAILOR AND MAORI FINED £2 FOR FIGHTING A naval rating, Edward Devine, ol Waiouru Naval station, and a Maori, Joseph Toroti, of “Siberia” station, Taihape, were both convicted on Saturday by Mr W. Annear, J.P., on a charge of fighting in Hautapu Street on December 15. It was alleged that Devine was th e aggressor. Both defendants were fined f2. Constable R. Cross said that at 6.15 p.m. on Friday last he was on duty outside the Gretna Hotel, when he saw the defendant Devine leave the hotel with four or five men. Devine later retraced his steps and threw his coat on the ground and accosted Horoti. A fight started between the two defendants and Devine “took a swing” at the Maori. Both struck blows. Devine was under the influence of liquor, said the constable. Senior-Sergeant R. Griffith said that Devine’s commanding officer at Waiouru spoke well of him. It appeared that Devine started the fight and the other delendant retaliated. Devine told the Court that he was under the influence of liquor at the time and remembered nothing. The Bench (to Devine): If you start looking for fight you are looking for trouble. MOTOR-CYCLE SPORTS POSTPONED. The motor-cycle sports which were to have been held on Saturday at Mataroa were postponed on account of the dangerous state of the track following heavy rain. An Army motor-cyclist who “tried the track out,” came to grief when his machine overturned, but he was not hurt and carried on with his trial. PERSONAL. The death has occurred of a wellknown and highly respected resident, Mr H. McClure, father of Mr Roy McClure, of Taihape. During his long association with Taihape the late Mr McClure made many friends.