CHARGES AGAINST A NATIVE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13279, 19 January 1911, Page 8

CHARGES AGAINST A NATIVE.

ASSAULT. ■ At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Thomas Barr (for whom.-Mr Hutton appeared) brought an action against Rangi (a native) for assault. This was the sequel to the laying of an information against defendant for allegally taking game. Thomas Barr, who is manager for M l ' D. Boss, stated in his evidence that on the 18th December he had Brought a sheep to the Kaiwhaike pa. He was on Mr Ross’s side of the fence, and, after delivering the sheep to Hawkins (a native), he was returning to his wharc, when the defendant called him and accused him of telling the ranger that he (defendant) had caught ducks by chasing them witli a dog. Plaintiff denied it, and in return was called a liar. Plaintiff replied that he had’ told Mr Ross and Mr Harper. He then walked away, and Raugi leaped over the fence and struck him several times orr the face. Barr afterwards went into the pah. but was ordered out by Raugi. Hawkins, a Maori, said he did not receive the sheep from Barr, but from another native. He did not see Rangi, and he did not see Rangi assaulting Barr. He heard afterwards that Rangi had ordered Barr out of the pah." - ' (Up- to this siage of the case an interpreter had been acting, but witness here broke out in English with the statement that Barr was telling lies, and witness knew- nothing about the affair.) Roberts, another native, said he did not remember Hawkins telling bira that Rangi had assaulted Barr, and altogether he denied everything about which he was supposed to have knowledge. He said he had talked the matter over with Rangi or Hawkins.

Bang!'-(the defendant) explained that he was asleep in his wharc when Barr came. His wife woke him up, and he conducted Barr to the boundary fence. Barr said he would take proceedings, hut witness did not know what for. Barr was telling untruths. ■ Mr Hutton said the case was very unsatisfactory, as two of the witnesses had been expected to support the plaintiff. His Worship said that in view' of the evidence he could do nothing, and on the suggestion of Mr Hutton dismissed the •case without prejudice to any subsequent ■action. TAKING NATIVE GAME. The same native (Rangi) was also charged with having native game in his possession during the close season. Mr Izard explained that the natives made a practice of taking the game, and that this was the first occasion on which the Acclimatisation Soeictv had been aide to obtain a conviction. Ho therefore asked for a substantial penalty. His Worship, however, took a lenient view of the case, and the defendant was fined it, solicitor's foe £1 la. Court cost? 9s, and witness's expenses 17s 6d. His Worship .stated that future offence? would fcc laws; severely dealt with.