A DRIVER ATTACKED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 277, 20 November 1913, Page 6

A DRIVER ATTACKED.

ENCOUNTER WITH PICKETS. TWO MEN ARRESTED. (By Telegraph.— Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Considerable excitement prevailed in ■the direction of Brooklyn late this afternoon, as the result of an apparently unprovoked attack upon a young man named Walter Johnson, employed, a≤ a driver by .Mr. J. O'Brien, who i≤ in. business a<s a carrier -with, stables ax Brooklyn. .He was driving a one-horee lorry up Willie Street, and as be apI proached the Branjjwicfi: Hotel lie saw a number or pickets standing on the footpath. On« of these men jumped on the lorry, and accompanied aim as far as Fitchett's iblacksmrHh's eiiop in Ohiro Road. The intruder then, alighted and rejoined hie companions, who had walked this distance.

The party followed the -wagon along to the corner of Maraana Crescent, and here the .man who had previously constituted himself a passenger took his potit off and. calling- J-ottmson an objectionable name, wanted to fight him. One of the followers went to the horse's head and took the reins off. He then ordered his mates to take the horse out of the shafts, but the driver was successful in preventing thie piece -of interference. Johnson next, according to his own statement, was set trpon by -the "'hole crowd of followers, who numbered about 20. He warded ofT tie blows of the. nearest with a good deal of determination, and fortunately, before any injury could be inflicted <m him. the mob dispersed a.i the alarm of "police," whicn was given when Constable Pearson, of Brooklyn, was eeen approaching. Later in the evening two men were arrested in connection with the affray. Their names and the offences witih wh'eh ■they are charged are as follows: William -Tamos Reeves, charged with usino- ; insulting language with intent to pro° ! yoke a breach of the peace; Thomas I Vann. charged with having assaulted Johnson, and behaving in a manner causing a. breach of the. peace. Johnson was put and "braised a-bont i-be face, but his injuries are not serious.