REVOLVER IN A TRAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15138, 31 October 1912, Page 8

REVOLVER IN A TRAIN.

AN IGNOMINIOUS SEQUEL.

FEDERATION .'■■« MISSIONARY.:'

BOUND OYER TO KEEP PEACES

[BY a:ELEGRAMt.---OVra • COttFtESPOKDEST.] Paeboa, Wednesday. A slightly- man, of about 35 years of age, Robert Manning, appeared before Messrs. W. McWatters and A. Tetley, J.P.'a, at the Police Court, at Paeroa, this morning, on a charge of unlawfully assaulting James Dubb by pointing a revolver at him in a railway carriage, between To Aroba and Paeroa.

Mr. E. Clendon, who appeared for the accused, said that the offence would be admitted. Manning,-he said, was a victim of miners' complaint. He became very depressed a month or two ago, and had been drinking hard in Auckland. Coming back from Auckland he stopped at Hamilton, where lis had several drinks, and after that he was a bit hazy as to what happened. It seems that he got into a railway carriage, in which there was a Maori, and that ho pointed the .revolver at tho Maori, but the revolver .was an old one, and was empty. The man at the time,, said Mr. Clendon, was practically insane, this being due to drink and worry. Now ho had recovered mentally, and was prepared to give an undertaking to behave in future. . Under the circumstances. Mr. Clendon asked the Court not. to impose any penalty. . Sergeant Wohlmann, who prosecuted, said accused Was a married man-and a I bushman. Ho had done a little surface'mifting in 1902 or 1903, and on the strength of that had interested himself in strike matters, and had made some very foolish statements in the train. He had produced tho revolver and said, he was going to shoot the "scabs." He also said ho had miners'/complaint, and that he had poison to take. When the train reached Tirohiu, a young Maori got in, Manning, leaving his seat, went to where the Maori was seated. He asked the Maori if he was a worker or a striker. Ho said, further, if the Maori was going to Waihi he would shoot him, as he was; going to shoot all" the "scabs." The Maori, replied that ho was not going to Waihi. Manning said ho would make him a federation*? t, and thereupon pinned on his coat a piece Of red ribbon, &id sang a verse of " The Bed Flag." Tho sergeant said he believed the revolver was not loaded, but nevertheless the pointing of the revolver at the man was an assault. i Manning had,said he had no cartridges in his possession, but the polico believed that he. did fcuvo some cartridges*

Accused was convicted and ordered ;to pay costs, £1 5s lOd. He was also bound over to keep the peace- tiij* il\S?e months in his own recognisance of £25,, and one surety of £25, and was prohibited. Tho surety was immediately forthcoming.