WHAT STRUCK "GEARO"

NZ Truth, Issue 569, 13 May 1916, Page 11

WHAT STRUCK "GEARO"

Was he "Stay" at the Star

A Story that was Contradicted

Did He Fall or was He Pushed?

(From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.)

After nearly a year's absence from the. Christcburch Police Court, John Michael Gearosehowskl, who was once m the habit of periodically poking hla nose m the way of litigation, made hla reappearance last week. . On this occasion "Gearo," w.hose .headpiece was swathed m bandages, charged Patrick Sarsfield Flood', brother of the licensee of the Star and Garter Hotel, with having BANGED HIM OVER THE HEAD with a bottle on Easter -Monday night. Lawyer Whitcombe conducted' the case for Gearo and Lawyer Cassidy ap« i peared on behalf of Flood, who pleaded not guilty. Dr. Nedwlll put forward an inventory of Gearo's injuries, which he catalogued In the Lyttelton Gaol soon after the alleged assault. On the top of his head there was a wound a couple of inches long ivnd m an unhealthy condition. TfJO medico overhauled "Gearo" again the day before tho present, proceedings and, noticed that the wound was doing nioely. The wound was a serious one, and had apparently been caused, by something sharp. To Mr, Cassidy; It was quite pos« sible for the injuries to have been caused by a fall against a ledge or door jamb. John Michael Gearoschowakl said he came m from the races on Easter Monday night and hit the Star and Garter Hotel, where he met an old pal named Hofmelster. Mrs. Flood served the pair with a drink, and, meantime, accused came into the bar, hung up his coat, and came across to "Ge&ro," spying; "Get out of this, you German!" and striking him between the eyes. Before "Gearo" could do anything Flood picked up a. lemonade bottle and swiped him over the head with it "Qearo" collapsed and remembered nothing more until he awoke m the bar parlor with Flood standing over him., He then got up and ducked towards the police station, Flood following and asking him not to go to the 'police., Gearoschowskl made a complaint against Flood,' but the police locked the battered man up and ALLOWED FLOOD TO GO. Next morning "Qearo" was charged, at the Police Court, with being drunk, and was sent to LyU«dlon for iho purpose of being patohed up and looked after till he w»*s right again. , Replying to Mr. Cassidy, Witness'admitted having had two glasses of beor at the racecourse, but he denied that* he was drunk whon he entered the Star and Garter. Further, he denied that Flood refused him drink and sent him home. He was certain that he. did -not fall against a door-knob m the hotel, but he couldn't remember whether Flood called In a doctor, who'recomI mended "Gearo" being sent to the I "cooler." Henry Hofmelator reckoned he met |"Mr. Getohewlsky" m the bar of the Star and Garter m a perfectly Boher condition <m Easier Monday night "Gearo" shouted him a drink, whioh was served by Mrs. Flood, and Hopmelstor, after mopping up the fluid, blew into the billiard room for a whtle. Coming out of the billiard room he saw "Gearo" tying In the passage, "bleeding full of blood." H<» wont straight home, and, as he was walking out, he saw« Flood for the first time that night Alb. Schumauski. Marshland farmer, gave evidence of having been m the Star and Garter Hotel on the night* m question. After he had been there a while he saw Qearoschowski come out of ono of the side-room doorways In a bleeding condition. He walked about a bit and then collapsed near the hotel gate, after which he walked away and made a coin" plaint to witness whon he caught up to him. Witness saw Flood washing part of the hotel floor, and, when ho inquired what was the mattor, Flood reported that a man bad fallen and hurt 'himself. Flood, witness niid a follow named Quado followed "GeaW to tho police station with the intention of seeing that ho CAME TO NO HARM. Witness waa present when Dr. Palrman came to the hotel, summoned by Flood. Edward Quado gave similar ovidenae. adding that Flood rang up the police aa well as the doctor. This concluded "Goaro'o" oase. Pat Sarsfield Flood said "Gearo" was drunk when he staggered into the bar. Witness ordered him to go home, and, a moment afterwnrds, "Gearo" fell heavily against a door* jamb. S««lng that ho waa badly hurt, witness ran? up a doctor, who said It was a police cas«. Ho wanted to dross "Gearo'a" wounds, but ttio latter would not allow him to do ao. Witness then follows! him to the police station and saw nlm In safe hunda. Witness afterwards hoard that "Oenro" had b«<m In and had a drink between alx and eovon o'clock, but witness was not on duty then, The cas« was dismissed, with coata agawat Qearoeohow&kl.