AN EXPENSIVE WEAPON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14458, 26 August 1910, Page 7

AN EXPENSIVE WEAPON.

A BLOW WITH A SHOVEL. Thomas Langloes, a carter in the employ of J. J. Craig, Limited, instituted proceedings in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. C. C. Kettle, . S.M., against Geo. Piggins, jun., of Basque Road, Eden Terrace, a labourer, ( who had been working in Craig's. scoria pit, Mount Eden, for the recovery of £24 3s, damages in respect of an alleged -assault. The plaintiff was represented by Mr. Lowrie, and the defendant by Mr. Quartly. Both parties in the case are young married men. . . • ' It appeared from the. evidence that, on August 2, the plaintiff went to the scoria pit, and that the defendant started shovelling scoria on top of some nosebags, which the carter desired to first remove from the dray.. Warm words ensued, in the course of which the plaintiff ueed a moat objectionable expression towards the defendant, whereupon the latter lunged at him with his shovel, and inflicted a cut on the arm, which caused the plaintiff to lay up for three weeks. The magistrate held that the defendant was not justified in using a shovel as a weapon, even though a certain amount of aggravation had occurred on both ; sides. If the defendant had used his hands only it would have been . a different matter. The.plaintiff would be allowed £9 for the three weeks' work which he had lost, on condition that any amount received from his employers should be deducted. Three,. guineas . doctor's; expenses would! also be allowed the plaintiff,.