BROTHERS QUARREL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 16

BROTHERS QUARREL.

"MOST SHOCKING CASE."

APPEAL BY MAGISTRATE

Two brothers, John Connell and Martin Connell, who were involved in a feud which culminated in blows between them on the steamer Piako, were again tho principals in a case in the Police Court yesterday. John Connell sought a lawful undertaking by his brother to keep the peace, the case having been adjourned for a week for further evidence.

Edward C. Blomfield, district inspector of the Mental Hospital, said lie first saw Martin Gonnell while he was under observution at the institution. He arranged to help him when lie came out. When he did leave the mental hospital lie found tjtiat every bit of furniture had been removed from his house. Even his personal belongings had gone, and he was almost destitute. Witness said the brother John eventually called upon him. Ho was very hostile, saying that rather than return one piece of furniture to his brother he would break it up. He said he had been foolish to allow his brother to strike him before, and that he would retaliate in .future. "I think this is the most shocking case I have ever heard of," witness added. ( "It is a very sad thing to have one brother prosecuting the ofeher," said the magistrate, Mr. F. K, Hunt. John Connell had given a long story in the witness box of what he termed a premeditated assault, but this was entirely uncorroborated. "Do not take the law into your own hands, however bad things may be," the magistrate said, to Martin Connell. "Co and see a.solicitor. Take caro what letters you write. You havo boen under observation. Take a hold of yourself. I am relying on you not to write letters, as you apparently havo been doing. Will you undertake to keep away from your brother ?" Martin Connell said he never wanted to go near his brother again. The magistrate said he did not want to convict one brother and not tho other. The case I would be dismissed. He said he trusted no more would be heard of the trouble.