ASSAULT BY CALLERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 October 1926, Page 8

ASSAULT BY CALLERS

SON TO FATHER’S RESCUE. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 21. A plea of not guilty was entered by Eric Taylor (23), charged at the Police Court that on October 9,, he did as' sault William George Ferguson, and attempt to rob Idm of a gold watch chain' and a metal watch valued at £25. Complainant said that on October 9. he was at his home at 68 Mount Eden Road, when a knock came at the door. On going outside, he saw two men. One of the men said, “How are you doing, old chap?’’ and witness replied, “All right, digger. - ’ 'They asked him to go for a taxi drive, but he declined. Each of the men had a bottle of beer. After some talk, witness went inside to get nji opener, but when he turned round, he was knocked down and. struck with something which he believed to be a bottle. When witness was on the ground, one of the men said ; “If you don’t keep quiet, you old ,we will throttle the life out of you.” Witness feU the men going through his pockets. The men ran away. Herbert Ferguson, son of the com-, plainant, said that just as he reached the gate of his father’s home, two men rushed past. He saw his fathercovered ip blood, staggering on his feet. Seeing that something was wrong, he chased the two men running down Mount Eden Road, overtaking them 200 yards down the road. Each had a bottle of beer in his hand. Witness never hesitated, but struck the accused, Taylor, who went down on his back. He then struck the other man who hit witness with the beer bottle. The second man and witness both went down together. The other ran away, but accused was still lying on the ground. Mr Hammond : Was he unconscious? Witness; My oath he was. 1 saw to that. Had I known he would have been unconscious for so long. I would have left him and chased the other man. Constable MacLennan said that when the accused was ai rested, the latter said, “My cobber assaulted him, but 1 won't teil you his name, and 1 A'ill take the blame myself.”

Detective Lamoert said that when ;he 'interviewed, accused, the lattqisaid he went to the house cm the invitation of a nfan whom he dr I not know. Accused said that he thought they were going to a party. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.