CONSTABLE GOES TO GAOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

CONSTABLE GOES TO GAOL.

CHEERED AT RAILWAY STATION. An extraordinary scene was witnessed at St. Helen's railway station recently. William Weaver, a constable, had been sentenced to six months' hard labour for assaulting Inspector Jackson, and hundreds of people assembled in the station approaches to witness his being taken off to prison. As Weaver stepped from the Black Maria he was loudly cheered, a reception that he had to acknowledge, as he was handcuffed, by a nod of the head. People on the station platform cheered and sang " He's a jolly good fellow " as the train moved out of the station. According to the prosecution, Jackson had occasion to reprimand Weaver for being too much affected by drink to continue his duty through the night. On receiving instructions to that effect, Weaver replied, " I will go off for something," and then, rushing at the inspector, tried to seize his walking-stick. The inspector went on his way, and a little later received a blow on the back of his head and several kicks on the thigh. Weaver, addressing his superior, said, " You have got your time in, and you are goi.ig to break up my home. I will kill you." Weaver followed that up by seizing the inspector's stick, and dealing Jackson a violent blow that broke his nose. Inspector Jackson gave evidence bearing out counsel's statement, and, crossexamined by Mr. Graves Lord, said he was certain as to Weaver's condition. Dr. Reid said that Inspector Jackson would be unfit for duty for some time owing to his injuries. Mr. Lord, for the defence, said Weaver had had a glass of beer in the afternoon, but was perfectly sober when he went on duty at ten o'clock. Neither the sergeant nor the constable noticed anything wrong with his condition. He suggested that Inspector Jackson made a mistake when he accused him of having had too much drink, and that irritated Weaver, and there must have been something in the manner in which he was accused that made him lose control of his temper. It was admitted that he struck the inspector with his fist, but not with a walking-stick. It was intimated that an appeal would be, made to the Home Secretary;