ASSAULT ON A PRESSMAN.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13104, 1 May 1908, Page 3

ASSAULT ON A PRESSMAN.

(press association telegram.) PALMERSTOX NORTH, April 30. A sequel to the disorderly proceedings in, the Square, last night, when Mr K. D. Hoben, editor of the "Mana-watu Times," was roughly handled by a crowd, whkih followed him. occurred at the local Court this anoriung. Mr R. Essex, tiio defeated candidate for the .mayoralty, whom Mr Hoben had vigorously opposed, was tiho only presiding i Justice when John Flowers was chargled with assaulting Air Hoben. The police, under the circumsteJicee, applied for a remand, stating that Mr was a more or less interested party. Mr Essex- replied tJia-t thematter was a petty one, and declined to adjourn the oa6e. Tsie police persisted in their application, and stated that the case should also be adjourned owing to the absence of a Justice, who had been duly summoned, I bust had fedled to appear, jlr Eeeex exf pressed the cpinion Uf-t failing another Justice being preseivt, the charge should ue e>peeiaJ.ly a-s tJie case was not a serious one, but only trivial. Ultimately, yielidiag to tho earnest protestations* of tite police, Mr JKesex decided to a.\vait the arrival of the otiser Justice, who had been hurriedly sent for, .and wh«n he put in an appearaajoe the case was proceeded witih. Flowers denied knockrn.g Mγ^Hoben down intentiioual'ly, eta-thig that thepushing, surging crowd was responsibfo for it. A fine of 30s, however, was inflicted.