MAGISTERIAL

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3145, 20 July 1901, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL

TIMARU—SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1901,

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M.)

ASSAULT.

Albert SouthwoOd, an inmate of the Old Men’s Home, was charged with assaulting another inmate named James Bell. Sergeant Green said that a few words had arisen between the two, when accused picked up a spittoon and hit Bell on the head witti it, inflicting a serious wound. Mr Young, master of the Old Men’s Home, said accused had been an inmate of the institution for some time. At times he was very noisy and troublesome. Just after the assault took place witness went into the room, and accused was very noisy and excitable. He saw Bell bleeding from a cut in the head. Bell was 86 years of age, and did not appear in Court as he was too feeble to walk the distance. In reply to accused, witness said that he had sometimes to get the men to keep accused quiet, as he was very troublesome, but that he never on any occasion told the men to strike him.

William Coolding, an inmate of the institution, said that he was in the room and that accused went to take the spittoon from Bell, The latter lifted his stick to . prevent him from taking it, when accused picked the spittoon up, threw the contents over Bell, and then hit him on the head with it. ' Witness then called Mr Young, and he came in. Edward Cross, also an inmate of the Home, said he was having a game of cards at the table. He heard the disturbance and they all got up. He saw accused strike Bell on the head, and saw the blood.

Accused said that ever sine© he had been in thd Home he had tried to do his best for the good of the others. He was always ready to do a man good, and was the last man to do harm. He had waited on Bell and made his bed, and hi fact was always willing to do anything. Mr Young denied everything accused had said, and accused then added that they were all committing perjury. His Worship said it was accused who was committing perjury. Sergeant Green said that accused had been before the Court on a number of charges of vagrancy, through being turned out of the home before, and that he was charged with assault in January, last. His Worship sentenced accused to two months’ imprisonment, with hard labour. The Court then rose.