HOWARD ELLIOTT ATTACKED

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 247, 16 October 1917, Page 4

HOWARD ELLIOTT ATTACKED

OUTSIDE HIS RESIDENCE. CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS. An attack wae made last night on the Rev. Howard Elliott, lecturer to the Protestant Political Association, as he {was leaving his house in Wynyard I Street, Mount Eden, about 7.30 p.m., to attend a mass meeting of members of the Association. The affair is variously described by the chief parties concerned, a young man named Clements, who was arrested, stating that he had ueed a horse-whip on Mr. Elliott, as punishment for reflections made on the honour of his I bister, while Mr. Elliott states that he was assailed by two other men as well as Clements, and that a stick was used on him, he believes for the purpose of disfiguring him and preventing his attendance at the Protestant Political Association meeting. The main facts admitted on both sides are that as Mr. Elliott was leaving his house, and about to get into a taxi for the purpose of going to the meeting, he was accosted, and then assaulted. Eventually he got clear, and back into his .house, whence he rang up the police. Several police officers motored to the scene, arriving just before 8 o'clock, and there arrested Christopher Charles Clements (21) and Herbert Eugene McEntee (32), who were outside the house, on charges of having assaulted the Rev. Howard Elliott by striking him with a stick. The two men communicated with friends, and about 9.30 p.m. were released on bail in one surety of £25 each, the bondsman being Mr. M. J. Sheahan. STATEMENT BY ACCUSED. Seen afterwards, C. C. Clements etated that be was a resident of Remusra, and a returned soldier, having returned to Auckland about three weeks ago, invalided on account of wounds and gas J injuries received in the battle of Mesbincs. About a year ago his sister, a nun. had been drowned in the Wanganui River near Tauinarunui, and he etated that on his return he was informed t);at the Rev. Howard Elliott had made statemente about hie late sister's death that reflected on her honour. He was advised that he had no legal redress, and he decided to thrash Mr. Elliott at the first opportunity. Last night, he said, offered '.ho opportunity he looked for. and ho went, accompanied by hie broth<;r-in-law, McEntee, to Mr. Elliott's house, and used a lioraewhip on him. He stated that MeEntee only took the whip back from Mr. Elliott when the latter wrenched it off witness, and stopped Mr. Elliott from getting back into the bouse when he first tried to do co. Having vindicated hie sister's honour, he said, he waited till the police arrived. MR. ELLIOTT'S STATEMENT. Mr. Elliott, on the other hand, states that lie was accosted by three men, and that two of them held him while the other attacked him. He also states that in the struggle he was struck on the head with a stick. Mrs. Elliott called for help, and the coming of a neighbour and of the taxi-driver to his assistance enabled him to get clear and back to his house. He stated that he believed that the intention was to mark him and prevent him from attending the P.P.A. meeting that night. If euch were the caee, the effort failed, for Mr. Elliott attended the meeting later and made his speech, while he bore no facial signs of the affair. This morning Mr. Elliott etated that he was not in any way injured. THE COURT PROCEEDINGS. Clements and his brot.her-in-law, McEntee, appeared before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Police Court this morning on a charge of assiulting the Rev. Howard Elliott by striking him with a stick. The body of the Court was crowded with people, and when t lements. who was in uniform, entered the dock, there was an outburst of hooting, cheering and clapping. The Magistrate thereupon ordered the Court to be cleared. Mr. Butler, who appeared for both the accused, asked for a remand to enable him to obtain certain evidence from Wellington. He said that Clements had returned from the front only three weeks ago, after taking part in the battle of Messines. where he was gassed. Clements was the brother of a nun who was drowned about a year ago at Taumarunui, whose deatli Mr. Elliott had referred to in a manner that involved the dead woman's honour. Mr. Butler said that the defence would absolutely deny that Mr. Elliott was held whilo ho was being struck by Clements, but would aflirm that when Mr. Elilott attempted to run away he was, stopped. Clements was the only man who struck a biow. Sub-Inspector Broberg. in outlining the circumstances of the assault, said that Mr. Elliott was leaving his residence in Wynyard Road. Mount Eden, when he was accosted by three men. two of whom held him while the other hit him with a raw-hide stick over thp head and shoulders. The driver of the taxi-cab interfered, and enabled Mr. Elliott to get back into his house. The police were communicated with, and on arrival arrested elements and McEntee. The case was remanded for a week. His Worship remarked that the people who wished to hear the case should take warning from what had happened this morning, lie had no objection to anyone being present, but lie would insist upon some respect being shown to the Court, and if anything in the nature of the disturbance which had interrupted tins morning's proceedings happened ajjain. n e would not hesitate to again clear tlip Court.