ALBERT -STREET ASSAULT CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13398, 29 January 1907, Page 4

ALBERT -STREET ASSAULT CASE.

OPENING OF THE INQUEST.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT.

Av inquest touching the death of Michael Rice, a handcart man, who was assaulted in Albert-street on Wednesday evening, and subsequently died at the hospital, wis formally opened before Mr. T. Gresham, City Coroner, at the institution yesterday. A daughter of the deceased said that her father was 77 years of age. She last saw him on Monday, January 21. He then seemed none too well. He could not eat, and complained of an internal disease. Usually he enjoyed good health. The deceased man, in dying depositions before Messrs. I*. M. Muck ay and L. J. I'agnall, said he was a single man, and resided, until Wednesday last, at Mrs. Taylor's, in Albert-street. On Wednesday night lie had been to the Door of Hope, and was returning about ten o'clock, when, on entering a passage leading to his lodgings, a, man came and struck him senseless. The in.-iii was an Austrian. He was unable to say what weapon was used, but it knocked him to the ground with such force that his head and face were hurt. Joseph Gouiery, who was standing close ny, must have seen the blow. The assailant disappeared through a -gateway, and was followed by a constable, who subsequently returned, accompanied by Gomel and bringing with him an Austrian minted George i'ecar. Gomery said this was the man 'ho had struck the blow, and witness believed it. was. Iho ((instable took witness' statement in accused's and Montgomery's presence. Not feeling very ill at the time, witness went to his lodgings, and next day he went down town. Oil Saturday he became worse, and a doctor was sent for. Witness said he was quite sensible at the taking of his depositions, and fully understood what, Ik- «as saying. " 1 am'quite sure that the man the constable brought back was tin' man who knocked me down," said Rice. "i had given him no provocation: I knew him by sight, but not personally." In ivplv to a suggestion from the accused, witness said: "There were 10 men there, and you arc tin' man who struck me.' Re-examined: No one else struck him, and no accident happened to him. To Recur: He was sub. when he came down the Ktivei. lie did not call the Austrians abusive names. To tin- Justices: He might have had a couple of pints of beer on that day, but lie had not been drinking in the evening. The accused. George Rccar, was brought before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday, awl charged with assaulting Michael Rice, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. On the application of ChiefDetect Marsack, a remand of seven days was granted. An application for bai> was refused.