A CURIOUS THREAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12546, 13 April 1904, Page 7

A CURIOUS THREAT.

►E AND BRIDEGROOM ALARMED.

AN APPEAL TO THE COURT.

The wedding of an Austrian couple named Paul Cortonovieh and Mary Stillieh, which is to ho celebrated to-day, formed tho subject of somewhat arousing proceedings at the Police Court yesterday afternoon. A married woman named Annie Smith was charged before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., with assaulting the bride-elc-et by striking her over tho breast with a lemonade bottle and with threatening to shoot tho bridegroom, who prayed that Mrs. Smith bo bound over to keep the peace. Mi. Button appeared for the prosecution.

The informant, Paul Certonovieh. a lxmrd-inghouse-keeper in Wyndham-strect, explained that Mrs. Smith, the defendant, was in his house on (he evening of the sth inst,, when she asked if he could supply herself anil her husband, who was also present, with tea. There were more boarders present than he had anticipated, and accordingly ho replied to Mrs. Smith in the negative, telling her that there were too many present. The defendant then commenced 'to use abusive, language towards himself and his intended bride, and he requested her to stop it. She did not take any notice of him, however, and snatching up an empty lemonade bottle struck his intended bride across the breast with it. Not satisfied with that she threatened that she would shoot them both upon their wedding day, which, he said, would be to-day. She said she would be present on that occasion. Witness then requested her to leave the premises, but. he met with a refusal, and lie had to procure police assistance to get. her out. On meeting the defendant in the street some days later Mrs. Smith again told him that she would be present at .the wedding, and that she intended to carrycut her threat.

Asked by His Worship as to whether she had any questions to put, Mrs. Smith, addressing the informant in a somewhat endearing manner, said: "Paul, Paul, v.-ill you accept ray written promise that I won't go near you to-morrowl" "No," replied the informant emphatically, *'I cau't trust you." His Worship Why ? "Well," said the witness, "in November last she proposed that I should marry her sistei, which I would not do. Mrs. Smith then wrote to her sister and sent my photo. Besides —*'

"Is that the cause of the row, then f" asked His Worship. "Yes," assented tho informant.

"Oh, Jkaul, Paid," said the defendant pathetically, " would you like to see me go to Mount Eden Gaol V

The informant did not seem to notice the appeal, but- turning round he said, somewhat heatedly: "I am going to get married tomorrow, and I haven't got a best man yet through you." (Laughter). _ His Worship: But do you really believe that she will carry out her threat ? " Yes, I do," replied the witness, and he !<»ft tho box.

The bride-elect, who was rather stylishly dressed, was then put into tho box, and said she was to be married to the informant today. She gave a similar account of tho proceedings cm the evening of the s;h, and added that from the demeanour of the defendant on that occasion she thought she would carry out her threat. " She's not to be trusted," she concluded. Mr. Burton at this stage intimated that Laving conferred with his client he would consent to an adjournment until Thursday morning, if the defendant would give her solemn promise not to disturb the ceremony on me following day. If everything went well then probably nothing further would be heard of the matter.

Mrs. Smith readily consented to this proposition. and she assured His Worship that "it would be a warning to her."' The cases were adjourned accordingly.