“JUSTIFIABLE ASSAULT”

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 9

“JUSTIFIABLE ASSAULT”

NAUGHTY LITTLE IOY’S REWARD

“SAILOR DID QUITE RIGHT.”

(By Wire —Special to News.)

Auckland, Last Night.

The intrusion of a bluejacket at Devonport a few weeks ago brought about a new conclusion to the wellknown nursery rhyme which has for its central figures the proverbial cat and well. The New version was detailed at the Police Court this morning, when Archibald Larkin, of H.M.S. Dunedin, was charged with assaulting Kenneth Scott, aged 4 years.

Larkin did not appear, but was represented by Mr. Armstead, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There were two boys who, emulating the -well-known labour of little Tommy Thin and little Johnny Stout, were greatly enjoying the frequent ducking of a small kitten. Mr. Armstead said that Larkin, together with his wife and sister-in-lawy was sitting on the verandah of his home at Devonport when he saw two small boys throwing a little kitten into a drain. They threw it into the drain several times, and pulled it out by the tail. Larkin remonstrated with the boy, and one ran away home and his mother gave him a smacking. The Magistrate: That was the proper thing to do. Mr. Armstead added that Larkin picked up the other boy, Kenneth Scott, and said, “How would you like to be put in the drain?” The boy’s arm. went into the drain.

The Magistrate: Is that the alleged assault ?•

“Yes,” said counsel. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said there was another side of the story. The little boy was only four, and his head and shoulder were dipped into the drain.

Mr. Armstead said he had-three independent witnesses who would deny that. Mrs. Scott then gave evidence. She said her little boy came home crying. His head and one shoulder were covered in mud. Larkin told witness that the boy had thrown a kitten into a drain several times, and that he had stuck the child in, too.

“The sailor did quite right,” said the Magistrate. “The case is dismissed.”