LARSEN'S LUCK.

NZ Truth, Issue 173, 10 October 1908, Page 6

LARSEN'S LUCK.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF A KISS.

Beer, Butter and Blood. John Butler was presented to Mr Riddell, S.M., on Wednesday, to answer a charge of having assaulted one Anton Larsen, on September 17, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Sub-Inspector Phair conducted the case for the prosecution and Mr P. Jackson appeared for the defence. Anton Larsen, laborer, now residing at 70 Abel-Smithistleet. stated that he went to Butler's house on September 17 and reached there about 6 p.m. The two had a drink together. A man named Lawson procured the swankey and Larsen paid for it with two bob. A man named Vordem also had some swankey, and several women partook of the. beer. Accused came m about 7 p.m. and he had a load on then, but managed to find room for some more swankey.- While he was talking to Butler, Mrs - Butler came and sat on his (Larsen's) knee, put her arms round his neck and PRETENDED TO KISS HIM. Of course, Larsen did not resist the lady's embrace, and Butler did not say anything at the time.. Alter the spoony episode Mrs Butler, went into her bedroom. Witness was sitting m the chair when Butler hit him with something hard like a tomahawk just above the left eye. The blow stunned him, and when he recovered consciousness he heard Mrs Butler say, "You have killed him." BuTiler replied, "Yes, I've killed the - — . He is. your fancy man. I. might as well hang for a sheep as a, lamb." Witness then went and reported the matter to the police and went to Dr. Gilmer to have the wound dressed. He did not ask Mrs Butler to kiss him or to sit on his knee. There had never been any undiue familiarity between him and Mrs Butler when he had visited the house on previous occasions. v By Mr Jackson : Witness did mot know how many drinks he had" had'when he arrived at Butler's house. He picked Mrs Mitch'ington up at her house and she went with him ■'to Butler's, and had 'been m the house half an hour when Butler came m. He never remembered having a discussion with Butler about his strength or OFFERING TO WRESTLE BUTLER. Did not remember catching hold of Butler and attempting to throw him, but I might have done so. Did not remember ! falling with Butler on the floor. Did not thank Mrs Butler for bathing his head and did not say, "It serves 'me right for having got drunk." Before leaving the house he asked, "Who done this ?" as he wanted to hear- if Butler would own up. Butier said, "Somebody else done it.'' and that the other man had gone. By Sub-Inspector Phair : The thing m Butler's h?.ad -\._.» something- like .- the tomahawk "prc'-.rc:', 4jut could not swear if' was the same. John Lawson said he saw , Mrs Butler kiss Larsen. Nothing occurred before he left the house. Dr. Gilmer gave evidence of having treated- Larsen for wounds m the head. The wounds could have been ; • CAUSED BY, THE TOMAHAWK produced. The wounds were m serious position's 2 , - but were not serious themselves.. By Mr Jackson : Witness thought ifc improbable -that a fall op a fender would have" caused the wounds. Cpp. Belcfer^ 'gave evidence of arrest. Bugler,' 'when the warrant was read to hint,; said, "I know nothing at all about it."/ .-■•./ ■ ' ; . . --; - ' Accused, who reserved his defence, .wus committed for trial. Bail was allowed, self- in £30 and twg sureties of '£15 prone of £35., A ' '■' '. ■'■-'„ .X.=" '■