ASSAULT AT NGAHERE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1926, Page 4

ASSAULT AT NGAHERE

EXCITED FATHER’S ACTION

With two badly-blacked eyes look-, ing out from the mass of bandage#; that swathed his face, swollen to twice its normal size, James "Warner Gilmore, apparently between 50 and 60. years of age, a married man, residing at Hokitika, but at present baching at Ngahere, and employed as-a painter by, the Blackball Coal Company, looked a fit case for admission to a hospital, when he appeared at the , Greymouth Magistrate’s Court this morning. As Senior-Sergeant P. ■J. McCarthy remarked, “Jamito and Trowern would not look half as. bad after to-night’s fight—and they were getting paid for it !” Responsible for Gilmore’s condition was Charles Augustus Green, aged 36, a strongly-built man, residing with his wife and family at Blackball. He was not represented by counsel, and, when charged with the assault, pleaded guilty. The Senior-Sergeant said that the position was rather peculiar. On first appearances, it looked as if a very serious assault had been committed upon Gilmore,- but there were certain circumstances that put a different aspect upon the case. Accused was the father of five children, whose ages ranged from nine years downwards. Ou arriving home last evening, he was informed by his wife that two of the boys, aged nine and five years, had not returned from the river, whet® they had gone to try and catch some fish. It was then about 8 p.m., and accused went to look for the boys, but could not find them, tie naturally became excited, fearing they might have been drowned. He got into a highlynervous state. Not seeing the boys on the Blackball side of the river, he crossed the bridge to Ngahere, three miles away, and was told that, they had been seen near Gilmore’s hut. Accused went to the whare, forced the door open, and subsequently told the police that he saw the boys undressed. “He immediately jumped to conclusions,” said the Senior-Ser-geant, “and rushed at Gilmore, who Was sitting down on a form.” It seemed that the boys had voluntarily gone to Gilmore’s place, and, instead of chasing them home, as he ought to have done, he agreed to let them stay there for the night, giving them his bed, and intending himself to sleep on the floor. Accused lost ‘ his head completely. In justice to him, however, it must be said thht he afterwards went to Constable Honey at Blackball, and reported/tMt he had assaulted Gilmore, adding - .that.when he last saw the assaulted man he was running 1 into the bush near' the whare. The assault seemed to lie’purely an iinpulsfe. Gilmore should; never have allowed .the children to, stay away from hbfne until that time of night, with their patents thinking they were drowned. There was nO doubt that Gilmore’s injuries were" severe, but the doctor who treated them at Blackball did not seem to think they would have any serious consequences. He handed a medical report into Court. , Mr. W. Meldrum, S.M.: Does Gilmore admit that only fists were used? —Yes.

The S.M.: It is a most extraordinary position. I cannot blame the father for what he did. Ht- is only natural, in such circumstances, that he would be in a very highly-excited state. Gilmore was I probably actuated by the best intentions, but he showed a great lack of a sense of the fitness of things, in keeping the children there, and did a very, thoughtless thing. It was his duty immediately ;to get in touch with the parents or the police. '

The Senior-Sergeant:/ He endeavoured to get the children to go home.

■ The S.M.: Quite so, but he should have taken-, means of communicating with the parents. He has suffered, but I think he haa brought it upon himself, to a great extent. Accused is convicted and discharged.

The expenses amounted to £2/7/(medical attention £2/2/-, car tyre 5/-), and the S.M. ordered Green and Gilmore to pay half each (£l/3/6). Green was allowed until next payday to provide his share. /