MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 493, 30 June 1932, Page 11

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Sequel to Disturbance Outside Lancaster

Park on May 7.

TRAM CONDUCTOR DIES IN HOSPITAL.

AS A SEQUEL lo a disturbance outside Lancaster Park on May 7, during the tramway strike, James Duncan Bourk, a painter, aged thirty-seven, of Hutcheson Street, was charged to-day before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., with assaulting William Henry Victor Laing, a volunteer conductor and causing his death, thereby committing manslaughter. On the application of the police, the accused was remanded to appear on July 7. Bail was fixed at £3OO and two sureties of £l5O, and the accused was ordered to report daily to the police.

Chief-Detective Carroll said that Laing received a blow at Lancaster Park and later died in hospital. It was alleged that the accused had delivered the blow. Counsel said that the accused had three young children. lie was asking for bail to enable him to prepare a de-

fence. Counsel said he understood that the accused was quite a respectable citizen. His friends spoke well of him. The chief-detective said that he had no objection to bail, but, in view of the serious charge, he suggested that bail should be fairly substantial, and that the accused should report daily to the police.