LIVERY STABLE FRACAS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 5

LIVERY STABLE FRACAS.

A MISSING EYEBROW. A charge of assaulting John Dumphy and causing him actual bodily harm was preferred against Aaron Power at the j Magistrate's Court to-day, before; Messrs K. Mathieson and H. A. Bruce, J.P 's. i Mr M. Donnelly represented the ac-1 cused. Dr Westenra said that Dumphy was | admitted to the hospital on Saturday j evening. He had au open wound over the right eyebrow, about an inch and | a-half long, which penetrated to the bone. Dumphy was also suffering from I "gravel rash" on the cheek. A board, about an inch thick, was j handed to the witness, who stated that hairs adhering to it appeared to be part of an eyebrow. To Mr Donnelly: A fall might have | caused the injuries, which were riot I serious.

On the application of Mr Donnelly, the charge was reduced to one of common assault.

Thomas Dumphy, whose head was swathed in bandages, said he was employed at the Zetland Livery Stables. On Saturday, a man called for delivery of four dogs which had been left with witness for about a fortnight. This man. was told that there was £1 to be paid for the animal's keep. The man muttered something, and went away. About an hour later he saw the man in question, the accused, and another man, breaking in a door where the dogs were kept. He called out for the police, and the next thing he saw was the accused aiming a blow at him with a board.

James Woodham, a contractor, Linwood, said lie was in the Zetland Stables on Saturday evening. He saw the accused strike Dumphy, but could not say whether the accused used a board or not.

Alfred Cameron and Constable Evan gave evidence. Mr Donnelly said that he could not deny that an assault ,Jiad been committed —it was simply a questiou of degree. James Lawler said that Dumphy wanted £1 before handing the animals over and a dispute occurred. The accused struck Dumphy with his fist, knocking him down. The accused gave evidence that he hit Dumphy with his fist to ward him off. The Bench fined the accused £5 and costs. An order was made that half the fine should be paid to Dumphy.