COLLECTING THE RENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1928, Page 7

COLLECTING THE RENT

AUCKLAND WOMEN QUARREL HAIR-RAISING EPISODE (Special to “Star.”) AUCKLAND, March 24. “I did not intend to do any harm. I only got hold of her hair to pull myself up.” This was the explanation volunteered by a, young married woman, who was the defendant in a civil assault case before Magistrate McKean yesterday.

Complainant was an elderly woman. She conducted her own case. She said that on March 7, defendant came to her house at Ponsonby and rang the door bell, and when she opened the door, the visitor stamped on her feet, and shook her fist, and demanded some rent, which complainant’s little daughter owed. Defendant grabbed her by the hair and swung her round, until the hair was pulled out. At this stage, complainant-produced a brown paper parcel, which contained some long tresses of hair. Continuing, complainant said ■ that the other woman doubled her up, struck her blow after blow,, and finally threw her full length on the ground. Defendant next rushed into the shop and pretended to faint. “I’ve been brought up respectable,” said complainant, under cross-exam-ination. “I’ve got a great aunt aged 99. That’s stock I come from. I’m in bed at’ 8 o’clock every night. I’m respectable, I am.” Complainant said she would call her little daughter to. give evidence. The “little daughter” proved to be a married woman.

Defendant’s version of the affair was that when she went to the house, she got a. blow that nearly stunned her and -then she stumbled. “It’s false,” declared, the complainant, excitedly. “Ask my little daughter. I’m not strong enough. I wish I was. She wouldn’t pull my hair for nothing.” “You had better keep away from each other,” was the kindly advice of Mr McKean, in announcing the case would be dismissed.

“She’s a desperate woman,” exclaimed the complainant. Mr McKean: I don’t think she is so very desperate.