THE PICTURE ON THE WALL

NZ Truth, 25 October 1924, Page 5

THE PICTURE ON THE WALL

Reversed, In Black Irate Householder Hits Out. Things had been anyhow m the home for some time, and the wife had received a separation order against her spouse, but they continued to live on m the home. There were boarders m the house, and the strained relations 'twixt man and wife came to a head when hubby saw his photo turned face to the Avail and heavily draped m mourning. That was too much for the feelings of John Patrick Keefe, a resident of the Green Lane district of Auckland, and as a result of the subsequent happenings he made his. appearance before Magistrate Poynton on a charge of having wilfully assaulted Myrtle Blackburn, the wife of his boarder. Lawyer Singer was called to the aid of John Patrick, who pleaded not guilty to the charge. The evidence adduced seemed to show that on • the night m question there had been a general bust up at Green Lane, and m the clash tha»t took place m the home of the accused, Mrs. Blackburn was smacked across the face, while she also .received a kick on the knee, and one on the stomach. When the complainant was cross-examined, she said that she had got notice to quit a week ago, but had not cleared out; as she could not get another place m the time. Mrs. Keefe had said that there was no need for them to go. She knew nothing about the photo on the wall. She had seen it there, but she denied all knowledge of its having, beeri turned face inward and draped m black. She quite admitted that she struck John Patrick when he was fighting en the ground with her husband,, as a measure of retaliation for what he had done' to her just before. She did not kick him.

; I Lawyer Sullivan here chimed m for I the. wife of John Patrick. He said ne I appeared amicus curiae. ' ' Lawyer . Singer -objected to anything : of the sort. There was no need for [ amicus on the part •'•: of . his f riend.' ■ Keefe had had to contend with three people in 'his own home > the night ',-be- , fore, and there he was that morning ■ confronted by Senior Sergeant Rawle [ and Mr. Sullivan.' There was .rid, need for any more amicus.:. So : Lawyer Sullivan had to resume- his seat. - Neil Blackburn,: husband of the corhplainant, said that he -heard a smashing of glass from the accused's rooms and" was . going to see what was the matter When themet Keefe m the pas--3 sage. With that John Patrick "let ■ out" arid there was a scuffle. He saw I Keefe kick his Myrtle on the kriee and . on the . shoulder. All the kicking by 5 the accused was done while he was on s the: floor. ; To Lawyer Singer . he said i that he did, not think that h^s wife -. kicked Keefe when he was on the i ground. He :;did . not .see it, ■ but of. >; course, . as he ,'•, said, "you never ' knew ' what they would do." • :' Lawyer .Singer did not think there ■ was a case. • lit seemed that the trouble had arisen through the 'studied insult to the feelings of his client by turning '. his photo to' the wall and draping; it m : black;.,''.-'"" '".■■': .•-..>. ■ "': ■ The SIM. took a lenient. view of the i matter and ordered accused to pay , costs. £1 17s 6d, allowing: him a; week r to, pay. ' ' ';, ' .-y\\''- - '■•'.- .'.-. '■„,"'"■