HAWERA R.M. COURT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3231, 22 September 1892, Page 2

HAWERA R.M. COURT.

Wednesday. (Before Messrs. Fantham and Dive, Justices.) ALLEGED ASSAULT. Tene v. Ah Chang.— Mr. Hutchison for plaintiff; Mr. Barton for defendant. Pl&intiff, sworn, said she came from Kai Iwi by Tuesday's train, and was on her way to Opunake. She bought some oranges at Ah Chang's shop. Her hus> band was with her. She sat down on a chair, and the> shop boy came and took the chair away from her. She was smoking, and the Chinaman objeoted, and poured some water on her bead from a waterine-can. He caught hold of her hair, and pushed her into the street, and then struck her in the face. She was a stranger in Hawera. She did. not givt the defendant any provocation. Plaintiff was cross-examined by Mr. Barton.

Sergeant Stagpoole gave evidence; also husband of plaintiff. Mr. Barton, for the defence, said (be obbo had been greatly exaggerated. It was evident that the plaintiff and her husband had bad good hint to go, bnt they would not take it. The defendant had started to water the floor, and a little had gone on to her.

T. Fitzsimmons gave evidence. He said defendant had asked plaintiff to go out. He did not see defendant strike plaintiff.

Ah Chang, defendent, deposed he offered plaintiff a box of oranges for 1«; she offered Id for them ; the boy took the ohair, and plaintiff sat down on a box and commenced ' to smoke; she stayed a long time; he may have pushed her, but he did not mean to hart her; there was a scuffle outside. In cross-examination defendant said he watered the floor to get rid of the Maoris ; he told her to go, and she: B »id, "I won't." .He. did not push her out backwards ; be pulled her out beoaoee she wouianotgo; the woman tore a button off his coat and otherwise disarranged big attire ; be would not hart the Maoris. Defendant's shop boy gave evidenoe. Mr. HotohieoQ said it was not to be assumed that plaintiff would oome to court unless thre was something in it. It was not right that any business man should put a customer out by force. It was evident that an assualt had been committed. The Maori man was to be I commended for bringing the oase to court instead of retaliating on the spot. Mr. Barton replied, stating that tho case wbb frivolouß, and should be dismissed.

The Bench dismissed the information. CIVIL CASE. Moore v. Meeob.— Judgmmeot summons for £9 on a horse. £1 had been paid. Defendant stated he had offered £3 down and 10s a week; bnt Mr. Matthews, who appeared for plaintiff, said he was not satisfied with this.— Judgment for £3, and balance within one month, in\ default one month's imprisonment. 1 " A drunk " was let off with a oaution.