TO FIGHT CHINESE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 247, 18 October 1928, Page 8

TO FIGHT CHINESE.

YOUNG MAN'S IMPULSE.

EXPIANATION OF ASSAULT.

LAUXDRYMAN KNOCKED OUT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WAIHI, this day.

Edward Ernest Thompson, a young man, admitted in the Police Court to-day that he assaulted Ham Sing, a Chinese laundryman, so as to cause him bodily harm.

Ham Sing, who said he was a Christian and took the ordinary oath, related that last Sunday night, when at home about 8.30, be heard a series of knocks on liis front door, and someone called out that he wanted to go into the shop. He opened the front door, and immediately received a blow in the face, which knocked hi™ down. He lay on the floor about fifteen minutes, and when he recovered he looked out, but he could see no one.. He did not see who struck him. He had seen accused in his shop,* but never had any quarrel with him.

Dr. Gray said Sing was suffering from a wound three-quarters of an inch long and a quarter-inch deep over the bridge of his nose, and from a fracture of the small bones of his nose and severe bruises over his right eye. If properly attended to the injuries would not- prove permanent. ,

Constable Rimmer said Accused inside a statement when he interviewed. He said that on Sunday night he was passing the Miners' Union Hall with two other: young men, when he became obsessed with the idea of fighting a Chinaman. He had always felt hostile to them. At the time he was excited with liquor. He went to the doorway of TT»m Sing, and when Ham poked- his head out he let go with his right fist and caught him a blow square on the-face. Ham was lifted clean off his feet and hurled back into the passage. ;• ' - It was not until several minutes later, accused said,, that he realised what he had done. He had intended going to .the police station to confess when Constable Rimmer met him.

The constable said that when arrested accused said he expected he would have to "take his gruel." When sober he was quite decent.

Accused was committed to the Auckland Supreme Court for sentence.