A GENERAL MELEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13768, 5 June 1908, Page 7

A GENERAL MELEE.

WHAT A RED TIE DID.

A PIECE OF COMIC OPERA

At the Police Court yesterday, tejo« Messrs J. R. Macfarlane and 1- IVU >- justices of the peace, a young married man named William Holden was charged with disorderly conduct while drunk on May 25. He " was further charged with assaulting James Paul, Agnes Miller John Miller, and Emilv K. Howell. John, R. Holden was also charged with being concerned in the assaults. The complainants in the assault cases were, on the other hand, charged with assaulting Win. «. Holden. All of the persons charged pleaded not guilty. '.' ' Sergeant Hendrv conducted the case tor the police, and Mr. J. R. Lundou appeared for the Holdens, while the otherdefendants conducted their own cases. The charges against W. R. .Holden were heard first. Sergeant Hendry said that on the evening of May 25 W. R. Holden went home under the influence of liquor, and assaulted his daughter, who rushed out of the house and sought the protection of a neighbour.* Mrs. Miller. Holden afterward* left his house and assaulted various persons in the street.A boy named James Paul said that on the date in question lie was walking along the road with a little dog following him, and when he came to Miller's house W. R. Holden rushed out of the back of the house and deliberately."*kicked witness' dog. Witness remonstrated with him and he knocked witness over and punched him. The boy returned the blow. Holden then tackled Clyde Miller, knocking him over and kicking him on the ground. Mrs. Miller then came upon the seen.', and endeavoured to rescue nelson. Holden thereupon directed his attention towards her, and' tore her dress.

Clyde Miller said he struck Holden over the head with a broomstick, for using insulting language towards his (witness') mother.

John Miller, father of the last witness, said his wife called out for assistance and he at once, went to her. Witness was wearing a red . tie at the time, and he believed it attracted Holden's attention, as he "came at him like a bull.'' Fortunately witness held his arm straight out in front of him, and Holden received a blow in the eye. Witness considered that it was. "a general melee all round." E. Kate Howell, who also was called to the rescue, described how she "hauled off at- J. R. Holden, and gave him all he was looking for." (Laughter.)

~ To Air. Lundon: She blackened his eye and knocked the scar off the end of his nose. (Loud laughter.) -She heard someone saying" '"Look at him putting the boot in," but she was not going to let him "play football"with her.'" ("Laughter.) Witness also said that when she first came upon the scene W. Holden picked her up in his arms and threw her down on her head.

On the suggestion of Sergeant Hendry, the. charges against Win. R. Holden were reduced to disorderly conduct while drunk, the remaining informations being withdrawn.

John R. Holden gave evidence and denied the story told by the other side. •His brother, he said, was perfectly sober. His brother and .himself had only had three beers each during the whole of the day. When.be reached the centre of hostilities, he found Howell punching his brother, who was on the, ground. Mrs. Howell had complicated matters by attacking him (witness), ami he had not ill-used her In any way.

After heating voluminous evidence the Bench decided to dismiss all informations.