ISLANDER ASSAULTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 12

ISLANDER ASSAULTED.

AFFAIR IN CITY SHOP. FINE OF £2 IMPOSED. A Hobson Street shopkeeper, George William Martin, was charged before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday with assaulting David Fotn, a native of the Friendly Islands. He pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that complainant entered accused's shop and asked in broken English for a penny packet of chewing gum. When accused a.skeu: "Can't you speak English ?" an altercation ensued, and accused struck the Islander on the forehead with a knife. Complainant made no attempt to get out of the way. but went to strike accused, who thereupon picked up a bottle of cordial and threw it at complainant. The aim was faulty and the bottle smashed on the footpath. Accused picked up another bottle and hit complainant on the head with it several times. Complainant was not seriously hurt. Complainant, in evidence, denied that he had given any provocation. He said accused threw the chewing gum at him and also hit him on the head while he was stooping to pick the gum up. It was alleged by accused that complainant had frequently caused trouble in the shop and had been, warnfd to keep away. Complainant was the aggressor and used objectionable language to accused, who acted only in self-defence. In imposing a fine of £2 and costs, £2 2s 6d, the magistrate said he was satisfied that accused was at fault and had lost his temper.