ASSAULT AT CHATEAU.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 December 1935, Page 5

ASSAULT AT CHATEAU.

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. CASE NOW PROCEEDING. (By Telegraph —friess Association.) TA LIMA RAX I'l, This Day. The adjourned hearing of the civil case arising out of the occurrence at the Chateau, Tongariro National Park, was heard in the Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M, Mr. J. A. Gordon appeared for the plaintiff, Richard Cobbe, and Mr. W. Selwyn Averill, of Hastings, for the defendant.

Plaintiff alleges that on or about September Bth last defendant, while staying at the Chateau Tongariro, assaulted and struck plaintiff! on the left temple, thereby causing concussion, external swelling and confusion of the brain and that as a result plaintiff; was in hospital for a, period and since leaving tiie hospital nas been quite unable to carry out his duties. Plaintiff' asked judgment for £2OO general damages and £l2 13s (id hospital and medical expenses. Counsel for plaintiff' said that the position at the Chateau had been somewhat difficult owing to the fact there was no liquor license at the Chateau. In No. 1 Suite occupied by a lady from England was a drinking party on Thursday, September nth, and complaints were made. On Saturday, September 7th, a fresh party developed, their headquarters being in the same suite ol rooms. There war, considerable drinking and Towards midnight the revelry became a rather serious matter for people sleeping on the same floor and the floor above. The porters were instructed to get those people to restrain themselves and on a number of occasions, they Knocked on the door and pointed out that the noise was not fair to other occupants of the building. Shortly after midnight the porters again intervened and insisted on the occupants going to their respective rooms. This request was partially complied with in that they left No, 1 suite, some to retire for the night, but others to go down to the lounge. The latter started the disturbance afresh and one member of the party took a waste paper basket and scattered the' paper round the room. One man was told that Mr. Cobbe would be called. He suggested in definite language that Mr. Cobbe be called and to ensure that such should happen a small silver tray was thrown upstairs. Plaintiff', Cobbe, had retired to bed at 10.30 on Saturday night but the noise of the thrown tray brought him out of bed. He went down the passage and had a conversation with the lady occupying No. 1 suite. He told her to call at his office iu the morning to settle her account and leave the Chateau. Shortly after defendant appeared on the scene. There was a scuffle and plaintiff received a number of blows on his head. His recollection of what happened thereafter was very indistinct. The porters and Mix Bailey, a guest in the Chateau, appeared and defendant was taken downstairs and .subsequently locked up lor the night in his bedroom. Plaintiff was taken to bed and had a wretched night. On .Monday morning his e\-e----sight gave him trouble. He felt generally a wreck and Mrs. Cobbe decided that lie must see a doctor. An X-ray examination in Wellington by Dr. Cameron showed a fracture of the skull in the left temporal region, and Cobbe’s whole physical and nervous system was shaken. He obtained leave from the Chateau but his condition was such that after consulting his medical advisers he decided to resign his position. The Crown made him a compassionate allowance.