LIVELY XMAS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13092, 13 February 1937, Page 5

LIVELY XMAS

BATTLE AT SOUTH KARORI. SEQUEL TO PARTY. SEVERAL PERSONS RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. TEN ASSAULT CHARGES. FIVE DEFENDANTS. (Press Association) WELLINGTON, Fch. 12. A battle ivyal in South Karori on Christmas Evo and Christmas Day v r as described by Avitnesses in the Magistrate’s Court during the hearing of ten assault charges against five defendants, and other charges involving possession of an automatic pistol and ammunition. Several of tho defendants had received medical attention as the result of the battle, one being kept in hospital for five weeks Avith a broken jaaa and injuries to tho sides, chest, throat and tongue. The end of the contest took place on the afternoon ci Christmas Day, AA’hen eight persons Avere involved, three being knocked unconscious.

John Gordon Kilminster. farmer, Avas charged with assaulting James Robert McKenzie, and Avith having an automatic pistol, and ammunition adapted for the use of it in his possession. His brother, Frederick Percival Kilminster, farmer, Avas charged Avith assaulting Eileen Melilhopt and James Robert McKenzie, and a third -brother, Lawrence Victor Kilminster, farmer, was charged Avith assaulting Reuben Melilhopt and Albert Henry Melilhopt, farmers, and also McKenzie.

LaAvrence Kilminster, in bis turn charged tho Melilhopt brothers Avith assaulting him, and John Gordon Kilminster charged McKenzie with assault.

Detective-Sergeant Doyle, outlining the case, said that John Kilminster was an uninvited guest, though a friend of Molilhopt’s, at a Christmas Eve festival at Melilhopt’s house. After some drink had been consumed, fighting occurred between Kilminster and McKenzie. Kilminster went home and his brother Frederick armed at tho party, and further fighting occurred.

On Chrisatms Day, continued Detec-tive-Sergeant Doyle, Frederick Kilminster returned to apologise to Mrs Melilhopt, saying to McKenzie in passing, that they “would get him.” Later, Frederick Kilminster arrived w}th his brother Lawrence. McKenzie Avas grabbed from near the door and pulled backwards over thd gravel with his shirt over his head so that be could not see. Lawrence Kilminster started to jump on McKenzie’s stomach. Melilhopt intervened, but was knocked out by a- blow on the forehead with a stick. Reuben, liis brother, came to his defence, but Avas bold Avith one arm, and struck in the face Avith the other, so that his plate was broken. They also his trousers off. McKenzie avh s meanAvhilo crawling back into the house, Freddy ick Kilminster thrcAV Mrs Melilhopt, who Avas also taking part in the defence, against a Avail rendering her unconscious. A constable Avas called in and had to summon medical assistance immediately.