GOT WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19272, 8 January 1931, Page 6

GOT WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.

MAGISTRATE DISMISSES A CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

Although Leslie William James Smith scouted the idea that he had been paying undue attention to the wife of George Dale, a resident of 395, Tuam Street, he could not convince Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning that he had not deserved the thrashing allegedly given him by the husband. The result was that a charge of assault laid by Smith against Dale was dismissed. Dale admitted threatening Smith for paying more than the usual attentions to his wife but denied striking him.

“You got what you were looking for, Smith,” said Mr Lawry. Complainant, Smith, residing at Jeffrey’s Road, said that at 11.45 on the evening of November 29 he was at a dance at the Scottish Society’s Hall. At that time he saw Dale at the bottom of the stairs. Dale called out, “ You are the chap I’m looking for,” and rushed at him, hitting him with his fist twice on the head. Dale tried to throw witness down, but could not manage it. Dale accused him of going out with his wife. John Hobson and Ernest Percy gave evidence that they saw Dale strike Smith. A constable said that when he came on the scene Dale was holding Smith against the wall and accusing Smith of paying too much attention to his wife. Dale said that Smith had been meeting his wife at dances, and on one occasion had tried to make an appointment by sending her a telegram. Smith, according to Dale, had been following his wife about, and Dale had had enough of it, and was giving Smith his deserts. “You had better call Smith again,” said Mr Lawry. “What have you iq say to the allegations?”

“She always said that; she was single. She went under the name oi Miss Dale. She had her rings off, and when I asked her if she was married she said ‘No’,” said Smith. “Just because I was at the same dance as she was, Dale accused me of taking her there.' The Magistrate: Have you ever taken her home? Smith: Yes. llow often?—Once or twice. When was the last time?—l have not seen her since the assault. And before then?—About a week. Dale: You say you thought she was single?—Yes. Did you think she was single when I pulled you out of the cab that time? Did you think she was single when I took your bicycle away? This has been going on since last February.—lt could not have been last February. How often have I threatened you? —Two or three times. “ What About It?” What about the times you met in the right-of-way because you could not come to the house? What about the time I caught you fondling my child in Moorhouse Avenue? Did you still think she was single? What about the night at the Dorothy dance hall? What about the letters and telegrams you have sent my wife?—l only sent one telegram. What about the signs on the window?—What signs? You know very well. I said I would give you a hiding, didn’t I?—Yes. You are an honorary member of the Scottish Society?—Yes. And you gave Mrs Dale free tickets to go?—No. “ The case will be dismissed,” said the Magistrate, -without troubling to hear Dale’s evidence.