“THE ETERNAL TRIANGLE.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20022, 12 February 1927, Page 6

“THE ETERNAL TRIANGLE.”

TWO CHINESE AND A WOMAN. PEPPER THROWN IN FACE. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND. February 1L "In this case it is a matter of the eternal triangle—two Chinese and a white woman/* said Mr Dickson at the Police Court, when he appeared to plead not guilty on behalf of Charlie Tye, a Chinese laundrvman who was charged with having assaulted another Celestial named Ah or Bon Lapp. Hub-inspector Lewin proseCU Ah Lapp said that he was a vegetable hawker, and resided at Point Chevalier with his wife, Cecilia Ab Lapp, who was a white woman. On December 20 last ha was in France street, Newton, and observed his wife going into Tye s laundry. On going into the shop witness was struck on the arm with a stick by Charlie Tye, who then threw the contents of a tin ol pepper in his eyes. Witness’s wife was inside the shop. He did not like her going there at all. Mr Dickson: Your wife used to live with Charlie Tye?—Yes. Mr Dickson: She went to the shop on her own accord? —No answer. . Constable Hinds told of a complaint made to him by Ah Lapp about having been assaulted. Ah Lapp had a. great deal of icpper on his face and in his eves while a considerable amount was upon his clothes. In a statement made to witness Tye admitted that he had struck complainant, and had thrown pepper at ''"Mr Dickson said that the lady. in the case prior to becoming Ah Lapp s wife, had resided with Tye for about two years. When s’-e came to Tye’s shop she complained to Tyo that her husband had struck her the previous day. When Ah Lapp came into the shop Tye was frying some rump steak, and was in the act ot sprinkling it with pepper. As he was only a small man, whereas Ah Lapp was much bigger and had previously assaulted him, Tye became afraid and throw the pepper ove r ‘ Ah Lapp. Accused had not invited the woman to his shop. In fact, he had told her to leave his promises. Mr [‘Kean said that he was not disposed to believe that Ah Lapp walked into the shop with his hands in his pockets as quietly as he made out. No doubt words were exchanged.. Apparently the woman was the cause of all the trouble, although Tyo could adopt some means of keeping her out. Charlie Tyo was convicted ”a~d ordered to pay 10s costs.