ASSAULT ON A GAOLER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 89

ASSAULT ON A GAOLER.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER. WELLINGTON. December 2. At the- Police Court to-day Joseph Norman, a prisoner, was charged with the attempted murder of the gaoler. Alexander Armstrong. In the course of his evidence Mr Armstrong stated that on the morning of the 20th November the accused whs engaged in the -carpenters' shop at the prison. When witness entered the shop the accused was making a drawing on a piece of wood. Witness parsed by and entered into conversation with the officer in charge. While they ■ut-ie looking at the partly-finished work, witness received a heavy blow on the right s-ide of the neck, and 'subsequently disco \ered thdt he had be-en wounded.

Medical evidence was to the effect that the wound wa- a serious one. Had it been half an inch further to the front it must have been fataF. A chisel could have caused the injuiy

The accused s:dd all he had done was done because of his h-iid treatment.' He was committed for trial.

Mr Haldane informed Mr "Wilfrid Ashley in the Houae of Commons that the average annual ccst of a cavalryman is £61 17s 2d, nod of an infantry man £57 ie 4jL