CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 599, 11 January 1916, Page 11

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

INTERESTING LYTTELTON CASE. WHARF LABOURERS' FRACAS. A case in which a good deal of interest was taken at the Port was heard at Lyttelton to-day before Messrs W. C. Cleary and L. A. Stringer, J.P.'s. James Knowles, for whom Mr M. Donnelly appeared, was charged with having assaulted John Hallett, SO as to cause him actual bodily harm, on December 14, 1915. John Hallett, a wharf labourer, said on December 14 last he was working on the steamer Maori, as also was the accused. Accused was assisting witness to get the sacks on his back, and pushed him after he had got the bag on his back. Witness said, "Don't be a fool," or something like that, and accused struck him. Witness could not say what he had been struck with. He went up to l)r Newell, who advised him to go to the hospital, where he had been until Saturday last. Witness denied having struck accused intentionally, but he might have struck him with a bag. Since the assault his health had not been good, and he was still suffering from the effects of the blow. Dr J. A. Newell stated that he examined the previous witness, who was suffering from a fracture of the lower jaw, on the left side. It would take a very severe blow to cause the injuries sustained. William Newstead, labourer, staled that on December 14 last, he was working on the steamer Maori. Knowles complained that Hallett had struck him in the mouth, and Hallett then said to Knowles, "Go on, you old fool." Knowles struck Hallett on the jaw. Witness did not see Hallett strike Knowles. Knowles's mouth was bleeding before Hallett was struck.

Kate Hallett, wife of complainant, said that Knowles offered to pay all expenses and give her £lO if she would let the matter drop. Guy Ronalds, labourer, stated that on behalf of Knowles he went to the hospital to see Hallett. Witness proposed to Hallett that accused was prepared to pay all expenses, and reasonable compensation. Hallett, more or less, agreed to the proposal. Subsequently he saw Mrs Hallett, and offered her the same terms, but no agreement was arrived at. Detective Quarterman stated that on December 16 accused admitted striking Hallett, but he said he was struck by Hallett, either by accident or otherwise. Mr Donnelly submitted that the case should be dealt with summarily, or dismissed. Evidence as to character was given by William E. Agar, secretary of the Watersiders' Union, and Joseph Garrard, J.P. James Miller, labourer, said that the first thing he saw was Hallett strike accused on the mouth, which caused his mouth to bleed. Accused then turned round and said to Hallett, "What did you do that for?" and Hallett the,n called accused "a old fool.*' Accused then got down off the stack and struck Hallett. Accused gave evidence, and pleaded not guilty. He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety of £SO and two of £25 each.

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

AUCKLAND ENTERIC CASES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 11. All except five of the returned soldiers who were isolated for enteric have been discharged. Those discharged yesterday were:— Field Artillery—William Hornby, Maurice A. Ricketts, George A. Rouse. Canterbury Infantry—Henry S. Rowe. Medical Corps—Charles M. Bevan Brown. DEATH AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, January 11. Private Leslie Shannon, of the Second Reinforcement, Auckland Infantry Battalion, died in the Dunedin Hospital on Sunday. He returned by the Willochra suffering from dysentery. His next of kin is Mrs Riva, Launccston, Tasmania.