A SCHOOLMASTER AND HIS CHAIRMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6518, 10 April 1889, Page 3

A SCHOOLMASTER AND HIS CHAIRMAN.

— ...<»■■ - Assault Case. At the Christchurcli Police Court, to-day, before Archibald Scott and W. H. Siuiins, Esqs., Jarnea Stewart %va3 charged with assaulting John Eadford, ab Gebbie's Valley, on March. 27. There was a crosa-sction for ao3ault. MiMartin appeared for Raclford: Mr Loughrey for Stewart. Complainant liadf ord, a man sixty-four years old, was Chairman of tho Gebbie's Valley School Committee, and Stewart was tho local schoolmaster. On the day mentioned Radforcl came to the place with a box of candles, and •was accompanied by his son. He asked i Stewart for the key of a certain cupboard jin tho schoolroom in which the schooli master kept a certain small chemical j lecture apparatus, and was goin# to put j tho candle 3 away. Stewart opened the 1 cupboard, and then liadford, who was kneeling down, appropriated the key, • whereupon Sbewart caught Radford by the | collar and pulled him over backwards. A j scrimmage followed, durirnr which Stewart j received a kick on tho chin, and I Radford a blow on tho head which knocked him over. Bedford's son, a lad about seventeen years old, then interfered and stopped further casualties. In Court Stewart produced from an en- | velope a portion of his beard, which was pulled out by Kadford during i tho struggle. Radford, in cross-exami-i nation, said ho went to the schoolroom to look up and straighten some papers left in disorder by tho late schoolmaster. Considered he went there with the sanction of the School Committee. 110 did not catch Stewart by tho beard when ho demanded the key. He did not kick Stewart; they kicked at each other and missed. The chemicals had been in the cupboard for years, and had nothing to do with the schoolmaster. Stewart, in evidence, said that liadford at the time said nothing about papers, but pointed to his little science plant, and said, "Take them out of that," and himself attempted to carry oub the order. After liadford had kicked witness on the I Bhin (bruise exhibited ia Court), and j pulled his beard, witness knocked him j down. Kadford said, "That'll do, Mr Stewart, I'll make a Court case of it." He, r as custodian of the property of tho Board I of Education, considered ho had a right to the key. The Bench thought thab the assault had been brought aboub by indiscreet conduct on the part of the Chairman, and tho defendant wa3 • slightly to bla,me also. Case dismissed. ■ )■» HIM II I | | „„,!■ M|W||>