STREET BRAWL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23224, 23 June 1937, Page 11

STREET BRAWL

THREE MEN INVOLVED CHARGES OF ASSAULT FOLLOW (Per United Press Association) BLENHEIM, June 22. The story of a fight between three men on the street opposite the Picton War Memorial on the afternoon of Sunday, June 6, resulting in one of them beting admitted to the Picton Hospital with extensive injuries, was unfolded before Messrs G. M. Blizzard, J.P., and J. L. Jones, J.P., at the Picton Court and hospital to-day. Henry William Smith and Leslie Wilson, both employees at Oxley's Hotel, were charged with assaulting Charles Herbert Brogden so as to cause him actual bodily harm'. Brogden's evidence was taken at the hospital, where lie is recovering from a broken leg and rib and a fractured nose, which were the chief injuries he received in the struggle, in which it was alleged, kicking was resorted to by the combatants. Both the accused pleaded not guilty and were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Blenheim.

Brogden's evidence showed that he was working at the Terminus Hotel, and his wife, from whom he is separated, was employed at Oxley's. He made advances to re-establish amicable relations, but discovered that she was friendly with Wilson. As a result of a meeting with his wife they quarrelled and he struck her. Later, he alleged, the two accused arrived and a fight ensued. He was knocked down and kicked, even after he had told his attackers that' his leg was broken.

The police produced a statement in which the accused admitted fighting, but denied kicking Brogden. The reason they had interfered was that they had been told he had knocked his wife down. The accused were allowed nominal bail.