A CHRISTMAS DECORATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 60

A CHRISTMAS DECORATION.

THE REGISTRAR'S BLACK EYE.

INVERCARGILL, January 11

To hold down such positions as registrar of the Supreme Court at Invercargill and official assignee in bankruptcy, and at the same time be the possessor of ‘’ a beautiful black eye,” was the unenviable experience of Mr J. M. Adam during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Mr Adam, no doubt, found a difficulty in explaining to his many friends how he came by it, but the whole matter was cleared up in the police court this morning, when a j’oung married man, whose name was suppressed, was charged with assaulting J. M. Adam on the evening of December 23. Senior Sergeant Fox told the court that about 9.30 p.m. on December 23 Mr Adam was going along Esk street, when he noticed two women near the gate of a house. The accused, who was in a very excited condition, came out of the house and assaulted one of the women, striking her with his hand. Mr Adam did as any other man would, and interfered to protect the woman. The accused turned on him and gave him what some people would describe as “ a beautiful black eye,” as well as a blow on the ear. Eventually the accused Was overpowered and quietened. He was obviously under the influence of liquor at the time, and afterwards could remember nothing of the incident. The woman he had attacked was his wife. Accused had afterwards apologised to Mr Adam for his action. The case was a serious one. A heavy

penalty could be inflicted, but the police were more inclined to take a lenient view, as the accused was a first offender, and was normally a very decent man. The accused pleaded guilty, and was fined £l.

Mr James Ward, J.P., who was associated on the bench with Mr G. F. Watson, remarked that Mr Adam had a very satisfactory explanation for his blaek eye, and he was io be complimented on his action. To the accused he said: “Mr Adam did the right thing. You are in a very wrong position. The senior sergeant has stated your case very leniently. We cannot let you go free, but you will be fined £l. I hope this will be a lesson to you to keep awa.wfrom the drink. You can consider j'ourself very lucky.” Senior Sergeant Fox suggested that, as the accused was a first offender, and was unrepresented, he should apply for the suppression of his name. An order suppressing the name was made.