AFTER THE PICTURES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 84, 21 March 1911, Page 3

AFTER THE PICTURES.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT

THE STORY OF THE BRAWL.

John Hannay was charged with discharging a firearm at Frederick Johnson, John Miller, and Robert Colquhoun, with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. I Robert Colquhoun. a clerk in the (employ of the Post Office, said that [on the evening in question there I were two young fellows with him *in Dickens Street. Witness did j not see Hannay until the accused j stepped out of a crowd. The party with witness said “Good night’’ to the accused, but received no answer. At this ti -re accused was going up to speak to two young girls. Witness and others said “good night,’’ and then Hannay turned and said: “You dirty lot of Tennax, which one of you was slinging off at me?’’ The accused was looking for fight, and offered to take on the three one after the other. He first offered to fight witness, but Johnson came up and said before that would occur he would fight Hannay himself. They were arranging the matter for some time when a man stepped up and said he would not see two on to one. Thereupon witness told him to mind his own business, and the strange man knocked him down. Johnson then fought with the stranger. The fight lasted a couple of minutes until Simmonds, of Dickens Street, came over and asked them to stop, as there was a policeman at the corner. As witness and his two companions were going home they made up their minds to go up to Hannay’s place and demand an apology. They had not been waiting very long when Hannay came along. The three then stopped Hannay and said, “What about giving us an apology for getting us into trouble in Hastings Street?” Hannay replied, “No, you dirty lot of tennax, I would rather tear your hearts out.” Hannay then hit witness, and the party all attacked him. . The fight lasted for about five minutes, and Hannay ran along May Avenue towards his home. After getting along the road for about 20 yards Hannay turned and said that when he met any one of the party he would “half kill them.” Johnson walked towards him, and “Hannay made himself scarce, ran for his home I suppose.” Johnson returned. and they remained there some time, smoking and discussing the situation. In about three or four ; minutes they heard someone com--1 ing down the road shouting out: “Now I’ve got you, you b .” iThe party thinking that Hannay ] had friends with him started running. They had not gone far when they heard a report of a rifle, and witness received a pellet in the buttocks. A few seconds later witness was again struck with, another pellet, this time on the hand. The party then ran towards the steps that lead down into Milton Road. Witness took a pellet out of his knee yesterday, and identified it when produced in court. There was no reason why Hannay should have returned after he had gone home.

To Mr. Dolan : He (witness) was with Mr. Millar and Mr. Johnson. Previous to meeting Hannay he had been at work. He had had ■two soft drinks that evening, one |in Shakespeare road and one in ; Dickens street. When he first saw I Hannay he was standing in the | middle of Dickens street. He did Jnot see accused in the company of f two young women. When he saw I Hannay he was going to meet two i young women. The party did not ■ follow Hannay. Johnson was the [first who said “Good night, Mr. ‘ Hannay.” Witness said “Good jnight, Jack.” but could not say who ; said “Good night, Hannay.” No > one sung out “Hannay. Hannay, come out of that.” The whole [party spoke politely, not jeeringlj. j Hannay came back and accused the [three of “slinging off.” Could not ' say if Millar hit the stranger. | Hannay did not hit anyone in I Dickens street. As the party inI tended going up Milton road, they ! decided to go up Colenso Hill on j the off chance of seeing Hannay. With his companions he saw Han- : nay coming up the hill alone. ; Johnson went up to Hannay and , said. “Look here, Jack, what about i apologising for getting us into trouble in Hastings Street.'' John- [ son did not say “Look here, now, we are going to smash you.’’ Not , one of the party said “We are go- [ ing to give you the worst b [hiding that you ever had.” No I bad language was indulged in. Wit- ‘ ness and his party did not chase ’ the accused to within 33 yards of [his home. On Colenso Hill when they were fighting, Hannay was not knocked down. Witness tried .to knock the accused down. Mil- * ler did not hit Hannay, it was ; witness and Johnson who did so. : The weapons used were not boots ; but fists. | (Continued on page 11.)