BREAKFAST TABLE AMENITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16353, 16 February 1921, Page 7

BREAKFAST TABLE AMENITIES.

CHARGE OF UNLAWFULLY WOUNDINC.

The sequel to a dispute between two employees ot' the Federal Hotel occurred to-day in the shape of proceed- ! ings in the Christchurch Magistrate’s : Court, before Mr J. Clarke. J.P.. and iMr J. AY. Baty, J.P.. when Frank Delsie. aged sixty years, was charged that on February 7 last he unlawfully wounded Clarence Hahn, a young man, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. Air Sargent appeared for the defendant. Chief-Detective M'llveny prosecuted. Dr D M. King. Christchurch Hospital, said that on the morning ot , .February 7 be examined Hahn at the j hospital. Hahn had a wound on the ; back of the left forearm, one inch to j fin inch and a half long, through the I skin and into the muscle. Witness | attended to the wound and stitched it. using about five stitches. The wound . was not dangerous. The knife produced could cause such a wound. ; Clarence Hahn. porter, Federal ’ j Hotel, said that the accused was night i porter at the hotel- They breakfasted : together on the morning of February ; 7, at the hotel. He asked accused if ! he had sold the bottles, and how much i he got foi them. Accused started to f argue, declaring that on three Saturi day nights he did not get any bottles, and that on three other nights there wore none. Accused said that people were in the house thirteen nights, and ; had a bottle a night. The empty bottles were to be for the two porters, i anti the proceeds divided. Accused said that he had sold the bottles but i would not give witness any of the ! money. Witness said. “ I will knock I your head off.” Accused left the room, but returned, and called witness i a crawler. Witness said. tl You’re the I only one to crawl on your hands and I knees, and look through the window. I Accused denied this, and rushed at I witness with a knife. Tie put his arm : down to guard himself and was stabbed in the forearm. He told the accused what had happened, and Delsie went i out of the room, saying that he did | not. care a damn. Mrs Collins bandi aged the wound, and witness then went ! to the hospital. j Air Sargent said that as the police ’ intended the case to go before a jury . lie would not ask any questions at this . stage. j Florence Sandford, scullerymaid. said > that she was in her bedroom at the ’ hotel about 9 a.m. on February 7. She heard an argument, which gradually got louder and worse. There was a rush and she went to the cloor of the staff loom. She saw Delsie and Hahn against the window. She called for Airs Collins. and Delsie went down the passage pretty quickly- Airy Chili ns said. What’s the matter. Clarence?” Hahn said. i: Frank lias stabbed me with a knife.” Accused came back to argue the point with Airs Collins, who told him to get out-. Alary Ann Collins, wife of David Collins, proprietor of the Federal Hotel, said that after the affair accused came to her. but she t-old him to get ! out and never put his foot in the- hotel ! again. Accused had been a good worlcj or, honest and reliable, but inclined ito bo quarrelsome. Hahn was quiet, and never quarrelled with anyone, i Detective-Sergeant Connolly said that at 5 p.m. on February 7 he arrested ! the accused, who, in answer to the | charge said : “ We quarrelled over some bottles whilst having breakfast. The young fellow struck me twice, and as 1 was leaving the room struck me between the shoulders. I turned round sharply. The young fellow was in a lighting attitude, and as he was going to strike me again he ran his arm against the knife T was carrying in my hand. T did not know the knife had injured his arm.” Air Sargent said the case was very J paltry, and if sent to the Supreme 1 Court would be contemptuously thrown i out by the jury. The country should j bo saved the expense, and the Justices , should dismiss the case. I Chief-Detective Af’Tlveny said that S the case was indictable and must go to I the Supreme Court. | Air Clarke said that the Bench could make a recommendation. : The accused pleaded not guilty. : The Bench adjourned for ten minutes I to consider the position. I The Bench, on its return, said that ! they would have rather the charge was jof common assault and they could j have dealt with it, but they found that i the police had no option but to bring the charge they bad, and the Bench had no option but to send the accused for trial. Bail was allowed, self in £IOO, and two sureties of £SO each.