SERIOUS CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 180, 31 July 1889, Page 5

SERIOUS CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

A somewhat serious charge was preferred agftinsb a Chinaman this morning at the Police Court. His name was William Harcong, and he was charged with having on the 30th of July unlawfully assaulted and beaten Alfred Sinclair by rushing ab him wibh a knife in his hand and attempting to strike him with it, also catching him by the wrisb, seizing him by the throat and abtempbing bo choke him. Mr Bromfield appeared for the informant and aaked leave bo wibhdraw the case. He said bhat there must have been some mistake in the matter. The informant was stone deaf, and he could not' understand how he could possibly have heard threatening language used. It appeared to have risen from a joke played in the kitchen of a restaurant. Dr. Giles, who was on the bench, remarked tbab the charge seemed to be of a very serious nature, and ib was questionable whether ib should be withdrawn if what was set down in the information had occurred. Mr Bromfield said thab he. was sure the whole thing had been a joke, and there was really nothing in ib. Dr. Giles accordingly dismissed the case. Mr S. Hesketh said that he appeared for the defendant, and under the circumstances he musb ask for costs, as his client bad been put to the cost of getting a solicitor. His Worship allowed the usual costs.