ALLEGED ASSAULT

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 79, 2 April 1895, Page 8

ALLEGED ASSAULT

WITH A TOMAHAWK.

At the Police Court this morning Thomas Brennan, an elderly man, was charged with having on the 23th of December, at Helensville, assaulted, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, ono John Hackett. Tho case had been adjourned from time to time since December last, owing to theinformanfchaving been unable to leave tho Hospital. John llackott, gumrligger, deposed tobeingin the Terminus Hotel at Helensville on the 28th of Decomber, aboub 7 o'clock in the morning, in company with defendant and another man named Bell. Accused asked witness to have a drink. The three wero in a littlo room off the bar. Witness went to ithe bar and gob a drink, which he gave to the accused. When he was turning away, after taking the drink to the accused, the latter aimed six blows at him with a tomahawk, two of which struck him, and four he warded off.. Tho hat produced showed the cuts made by the tomahawk when the assault was committed. Ever since the assault witness had been in the local hospital. The tomahawk belonged to witness, and was in his bag tbo last time ho saw ib, previously, so the accused must have bakon it oub of the bag before ho used it. Wibness was cross - examined by the accused. Ho admitted that the latter had never used an angry word towards him in his life, that they were always good friends, and that it was hard to say what was the cause of the assaulb.

"William Bell, carpenter, residing-at Parker's, near . Holeiisvilio, corroborated Hackebt's evidence with reference to tlie circui_a3b<inceß of the assault, with the exception of the statement made by Hacketfc that tho accused asked him to have a drink. Witness said it was Hacketb who asked the accused. Dr. Makgill deposed as to the nature of the wounds the inform&nb had on bis admission into tho Hospital on the 28th December. James Olive (barman), Constable O'Brien, arid Samuel John Smith (licensee of the I%'minu.g Hotel, Helensville),'also gave evidenca. The last witness said the accused had been stopping at his place for 5 or 6 days previous to the 2Sth of December, and thab he was nob all the timo sober. Tho accused waa committed for trial.