TOWN EDITION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 101, 30 April 1908, Page 8

TOWN EDITION.

EDITOR* AND EX-MAYOR.

SEQUEL TO THE ELECTION

NEWSPAPER MAN ASSAULTED

CASE NEARLY DISMISSED

[press association.]

I PALMERSTON N., April 30

The sequel to disorderly proceedings in the Square last night, when Mr ,Hoben, editor of the Manawatu .-.Times/was roughly handled by the < crowd, followed ■■ in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when a large number -of interests 1 spectators were treated to unusual proceedings. By a unique coincidence, Mr S-. Esses, the defeated candidate for the Mayoralty, whom' Mr Hoben vigorously opposed^ was the only presiding Justice. " \. -

When John Flowers was charged with assaulting Mr Hoben, the police, under the circumstances, applied for a remWnd, staging that Mr Essex was more or less an interested party.

Mr Essex replied'that the matter was petty, and declined to adjourn the case.

The police persisted that the application should be reserved in the absence of a second Justice, who had been duly summoned but had failed to appear. Mr Essex expressed the opinion 1 that, failing the Justice being present, the case should be dismissed, especially as it was not serious but trivial.

Ultimately, yielding to the earnest protestations of the police, Mr Essex decided to await the arrival of two other Justices who had been hurriedly sent for, and when they put in an appearance the case was proceeded with. j Flowers denied knocking Hoben tiown intentionally, stating that the pushing and surging of the crowd were responsible for it. ' '

A finfl pf 20s was inflicted. v