A NEIGHBOURS' QUARREL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12410, 30 August 1918, Page 4

A NEIGHBOURS' QUARREL.

HARD WORDS AND STONES.

SURETIES OP PEACE GRANTED,

A case of a neighbours’ quarrel was heard before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at tlie Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Sarah Hancock (Mr Hunter) was proceeded ogainst by James Barr (Mr Sargent) for sureties of the peace on the grounds of continuous use of insulting language. The case was heard some three months ago, and at that time the Magistrate (Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.) adjourned the case in order to see if the parties could come to some amicablo agreement!. However, complainant alleged that the defendant’s conduct had been as had as ever and a fresh application for sureties of the peace was therefore made: It was alleged at last hearing that defendant had heen using insulting language and also had thrown stones’. Mr Sargent said that when the case had been heard previously the Magistrate had been satisfied that the bad language bad been used, but decided to adjourn the case for three months m order to see if the defendant's conduct improved. He* was sorry to say, however, that it had not and’ that the stone-throwing and bad language had continued.

Air Hunter said that tho charge amounted to tho fact that complainant alleged ho was frightened of tho defendant. This was absurd. Complainant was a big. strong man and defendant. was a delicate woman. The fact of the matter was that complainant wanted to get the defendant! out of her house. Ho had tried to acquire her property and had l been unable to do so. Mr Hunter suggested that no more evidence should bo called on the matter. However, the Magistrate decided that the evidence should be taken.

Thomas Joseph Sleeman said that some time in June he was on the complainant’s property. Whilst he was there two stones were thrown from the adjoining property on to the roof of complainant’s house. Mr Hunter: What were the size of the stones?.

Witness; Tho size of an egg. H Mr Hunter: What, a sparrow’s egg Witness : No, a hen’s egg. Nora H.'-'Dennis said she lived in the' same street as the parties. She remembered talking to Mrs Barr on July 15, when she heard Mrs Hancock use had- language. The language was addressed to herself and Mrs Barr.

The witness produced a paper on which tho alleged language used was .Written.

Walter' Stanley Dennis, husband of thejast witness, said that on July 15 he had heard Mrs Hancock use some very objectionable language to Mrs Barr. He did not see the defendant a t the time, but he knew her voice very well.

William Albert Warren said that ho had repaired about half and erected half of the dividing fence between complainants property and defendant’s property. He noticed Lately that tho fence had been knocked about'a bit, two holes having been made in one place. Floris Joss also gave evidence as to having seen defendant throw stones and having heard her use bad language.

Henry Savage said that he had seen stones come over into Barr’s place from Hancock’s place. He had not seen defendant throw the stones, but he had heard her say, “ There are bombs for the old girl.” William Fraser, Charles Rochester and Charles P. Griffin also gave evidence.

Mrs Barr, wife of the complainant, said that defendant had used insulting names to her. This sort of thing had gone on for a long time. “From time immemorial,” suggested the Magistrate. "Witness: No, since about 1917. Continuing, witness said that defendant had told her that unless she induced her husband to buy her (defendant’s) place she would never give her any peace.

Mr Hunter: Have you got any pigeons ?

Witness;. Wo had some, but sold them.

Mr Hunter; How long ago? Witness: Well, I know the difference between the noise made by pigeons on a roof _ and stones, if that is what' you are driving at.

Mr Hunter : Can you explain the difference P

■ Witness: No, but you would know the difference if you heard the stones. Mr Hunter: About defendant’s property, did not your husband want to buy it ? Witness; No, my husband has got all the property he wants. Mr Hunter: He is a lucky man. The defendant said that the trouble lay in the fact that Mr Barr wanted 'to buy her place and she refused to sell it. Also the complainant had made a complaint to the City Council with, regard to the alleged dirty condition of defendant’s house. She denied having thrown stones on Barr’s roof. She had to go out to work every day, and had not time to throw stones on other people’s roofs. She absolutely denied having used the insulting language complained of. She did not interfere with Mrs Barr, because she had not the time. Mr Barr had made Statements against her character, with the result that some tradesmen had refused to supply her with goods. To Mr Sargent: All the witnesses for the complainant were telling lies, and she was the only person telling the truth.

Witness also stated that complainant had tried to bribe her. The Magistrate: In what way 't Wtness; He said that if I did not settle the caso out of Court ho would make it hot for mo, and I told him to go ou and do his worst.

Mary Kelly said that■defendant worked for her. She said that complainant had called one day when defendant was there, and he had told her that defendant had thrown stones on his roof and used bad language to his wife. Complainant did not know that defendant was in the house when he said this. Witness told him that ho should not . take any notice of the defendant, as it was silly for neighbours 'to quarrel when the whole, world was a.t war. Complainant had also said that he had seen defendant in company with men in a drunken condition. Witness told him that he was a. very foolish man to talk of a woman in that way. With that defendant came out and said that complainant was an “old blackguard/’ Mr Hunter: And I suppose he heat a hasty retreat. Witness; Yes, he went round the house fairly fast. To Mr Sargent: Defendant was not listening behind the doorr She was working in the kitchen, but as complainant spoke in a loud voice she could not help hearing Min. said that he had adjourned the case previously in order vkn S T°.i tlQ ' dof^ ndanti a chance, hut she had not taken it. She would liarafS £in c n W sureties of the V.-S to pa or -