OTOROHANGA ASSAULT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4812, 22 February 1936, Page 5

OTOROHANGA ASSAULT

DISPUTE OVER CHILD. PLAINTIFF NONSUITED. Alleging that she had been assaulted and beaten by defendant, damages totalling £8 8s 6d were claimed by Fayne Klein, a married woman, from Colin Cameron, a bootmaker, of Otorohanga, before Justices of the Peace in the Otorohanga Court on Wednesday. The damages incluedd medical expenses, recompense for damages to clothing, and £5 general damages. Plaintiff was represented by Mr. J. F. Trapski, while Mr. W. J. Patterson appeared for Cameron. Plaintiff alleged that the trouble occurred when she and her husband, with Mrs. Colin Cameron, went to Cameron’s parents’ place to procure Mrs. Cameron’s and her child’s clothing, as she prepared to leave and stay with the Kleins until she made other arrangements. Mrs. Cameron objected to living with her husband’s people. Mrs. Colin Cameron, wife of the defendant gave evidence of the happenings on the date of the trouble, which substantially agreed with the evidence given by Mrs. Klein and her husband. Constable G. H. Fry, of Otorohanga, detaijed circumstances in connection with the trouble which had culminated in this and the following case. He was of the opinion that the trouble arose over whether Colin Cameron or his wife should have possession' of their child. He had deavoured to bring the young couple* together again, and had tendered advice to them and also to Mrs. Klein, advising the latter to keep clear of the trouble between Cameron and his wife.

Plaintiff’s Finger Injured. Dr. C. R. Boddington, medical practitioner at Otorohanga, stated that he treated Mrs. Klein for a septic finger, which she stated had been caused by being pushed into a barberry hedge by Cameron. He also dressed wounds for Mrs. Klein, including a punctured lip. He visited her on three occasions for these injuries, and understood they were caused during some trouble at Cameron’s place. The defendant said he had objected to the Kleins taking his wife away, and had .warned Klein that if he took Mrs. Cameron away he would have to take the consequences. . He admitted striking Klein several times, but denied striking Mrs. Klein. Cameron’s father corroborated his son’s evidence, and stated that he saw the plaintiff kicking and punching his son while the latter was struggling with his wife to prevent her leaving with the Kleins.

After hearing the evidence of two brothers of the defendant, the Bench retired to consider the case, and upon resuming nonsuited the plaintiff, making no order for costs.

Further Claim Heard* Arising out of this case John Klein, a bootmaker, of Otorohanga, proceeded against Colin, Logan and Kenneth Cameron, three brothers, for damages amounting to £ll 10s 6d, for alleged assault by the three defendantsr Plaintiff, who was the husband of the plaintiff in the previous case, alleged that the assault occurred when Klein and his wife went to Cameron’s home, with Mrs. Cameron, who was not then on good terms with her husband. After evidence had been heard the plaintiff was nonsuited on the claim. The defendants were found guilty of the assault allegations, and ordered to pay 21s medical expenses, and 9s 6d, the value of a shirt which was damaged. No costs were allowed against the defendants. (