"JOVIAL" TREATMENT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 960, 9 March 1917, Page 10

"JOVIAL" TREATMENT.

A COWARDLY ASSAULT. "I didn't hit him hard and just kicked him for a joke," was the explanation given by Cecil Smithers, a well-dressed young man, who was charged at the Magistrate's Court today, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., with assaulting John Chamberlain,

by striking him on the face and kicking him. It was stated by the sub-inspector, J however, that Chamberlain, who was ! an old man, had been rendered ill by this "jovial"' treatment. Smithers possibly had had a few drinks, but no provocation for the cowardly assault had been given. "Chamberlain is a nuisance and is always annoying people" said the accused. "He said, "h'mm h'mm!, when a fellow in khaki was passing and touched me on the shoulder as though hinting I ought to be wearing the uniform too. I had already tried three times to enlist, so I chased him." "Did you have to get a doctor?" Chamberlain was asked by the magistrate. Chamberlain, however, is very deaf, and the Court orderly took a hand and finally reported. "He says 'yes' with his right ear, and 'no' with his left."—(Laughter). A fine of £f> and costs was imposed against the defendant, in default one month's imprisonment.