A MURDEROUS ASSAULT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16121, 9 July 1914, Page 8

A MURDEROUS ASSAULT

SHIP'S COOK SENT TO GAOL.

(Fbom Oub Own Coeeespondent.)

WANGANUI, July 8.

A sudden break in the peaceful monotony of the life on a ship in port occurred yesterday on the barque Manurewa, which is lying at the town wharf, when a fracas occurred between the chief mate and the cook, which ended in the former receiving a severe blow on the head from a steel bar and the cook being arrested for assault. The 6equel was enacted at the court- this morning, when the cook (James M'Ginn) was charged with assaulting the chief officer by striking him over the head with a steel bar. From the evidence given this morning it appeared that the officers were entertaining a friend at lunch on board the vessel, when the cook objected to waiting upon the friend. He declared with emphasis that he would serve the captain and the officers, but objected to serving "bums." The chief officer, as well as the second mate, remonstrated with him. The oook went forward, but returned a few minutes later with a tomahawk with which to enforce his objection. This dangerous weapon the chief officer succeeded in taking away from the enraged cook, who, not to be outdone, returned forward and obtained a steel bar about 3ft long and thick. With this he struck the chief officer a violent blow over the head, exposing the bone. The cook .was secured, and the wounded man had to seek medical assistance and had four stitches inserted in the wound. The cook declared that he was not the first to strike. He accused the first and second officers of mishandling him, adding that he had marks to prove his statement. In sentencing accused, Mr W. Kerr, S!M., declared that it was a murderous assault, and the accused was lucky in not having to appear on a capital charge. His conduct was • quite unwarranted, and his care was not to be treated as one to be dealt with by a fine. He would be convicted and sent to Wellington gaol for two months.