A MOTOR RIDE AND THE SEQUEL

TWO CHINESE, AN IRON BAR, AND A WOMAN. HAINING-STREET ASSAULT CASE. Two Chinese, Jim Wong Sing and Young Kee, had a difference in Hain-ing-sti-eet on 29th April last, and Young Kee received a severe injury to his head. To-day, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., Wong Sing was charged with assaulting his compatriot so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Young Kea appeared in court with his head much bandaged. Sub-Inspector Norwood conducted the prosecution, and Mr. A. Fair appeared for accused. Dr. Mackin said" that on 29th April be saw Young Keo in Haining-street. He had a vertical wound three inches long, extending almost to tho bone, in the middle of his head, just above the forehead. The wound was a deep one, necessitating the insertion of four stitches. There was no sign of fracture, and no serious symptom. The wound was consistent with having been inflicted by the bar produced. The bar was an iroa one, about 30 incheis long. Young Kee (through an interpreter) told his story. He was a "gentleman of means, just living in 39, Haining-street." On the afternoon of 29th April he roamed the town in a motor-car, with a feminine companion, named Kate Mallivel. At about 2.3) they returned to Ham-ing-street, where accused was handy. Nothing was said, according to witness, who admitted having had a few drink*. During a warm passage in Chinese witness suddenly broke out in "pidgin" English, and thereafter the examination was conducted in a kind of English easily understandable. On his way home from the car (witness added) he met accused with the iron bar, and lie (witness) was felled to th© ground. The lady friend, who visited him after the accident, wab also a friend of accused's. To Mr. Fair : He could not remember how many drinks he had before noon on the 29th. Counsel : Do you have many drinks ?— Witness: Oh, yes: a lot. He went on to say that k» and his lady friend had called at various hotels. A motor-car was obtained in Tinakori-road. He did not remember calling at the Magistrate's Court on the way home. At another stage of the journey home, when a call was being made, witness said "he was lying down iv the car." Questioned as to what ke did on arrival in Hainingstreet, Young Kee admitted having 'attempted to go for another ride, and caused a small disturbance. Witness at first denied having tub at accused belligerently, and then h* said he could not remember. He added that in his then condition lxe ! could neithex fight nor, run-. The whole

father arose. over a woman. The parties h&A not been friends for some time. James- Alexander Miuiro, who vtas in Bairring-street on 29th April, • told ;whafc he saw of the assatrft. "Sergeant Butledge also»ga-ve evidence. {Accused told him he had nit the "Baby" Young Kee's cognomen in Haining**roet — and he was very sorry for all tbe trouble. He made no mention of the bar of iron. Constable Doyle deposed to finding Yotmg JCea and . arresting accused. .The latter said ho would tell all about it. "I lost my temper. He took my girl in a motoi". I spoke, he rushed me. I bit -Kirn wrth a bar. I got bad temper. I'm moan kill him," and so on. On several occasions, added witness, accused had made complaints about Young Kee's presence in his (accused's-) house. .Mr. Fair submitted that the charge should .be dealt with as one of common *ssaulr, and his Worship concurred. * Accused pleaded not guilty. Mr. Fair outlinod the defence. Young Kee, otherwise the '"Baby," had taken accused's "girl" out for a motor-car ride, and on [the roturn there was bother. Accused denied using the bar on Young Kee's (head. Accused was put in the box. He s'tatled he was a fruiterer. On the 29th, •while returning from some shopping, he noticed the car in the street, and Young •Kee and Kate Mallivel . creating a dis(fcurbance. He interfered for propriety's sake, as he wished his wife to "come 'Sn and cook the tea." Accused's ver■eion of the assault was to the effect thai in a contest with Young Kee, he took (fch« latter by the arms and threw him "down. He did not handle the iron bai* foefore tlie constable afiked for it. One witness testified covroboratively. lYoung Kee, he said, began the row. His Worship considered that from the ■(evidence accused mii9t be convicted. No doubt he had had some provocation. ■Ho was fined £6, with costs £2 12s, in "default 21 days'* imprisonment. Young Kee was allowed £2 out of the fine. "He •has only himself to blame for being in &his position," added' his Worship.