STABBING AFFRAY IN MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7242, 25 August 1902, Page 2

STABBING AFFRAY IN MASTERTON.

Arrest of the Assailant.

The Victim in a Critical Condition.

A rather serious stabbing affray occurred in Mastorton about midnight on Saturday. Tho victim is Edwin a rabbiter of Mastorton, and tho ant, Daniel Mahonoy, who recently came into Masterton from Glonburn. It appears that Constables Woodloy and Douglas, who were on night duty, wero informed of tho fact that a disturbance had taken place, and at once proceeded to tho sceno, near Olson's boarding-house, whero a large crowd had already collectod. Gunthcr was found to havo suffered a dangerous wound in the lower portion of tho abdomen, and whilst Dr lloss was being sent for tbo Constables assisted in administering first aid. On arriving, Dr Eoss, recognising j the seriousness of tho injury, had tho I wounded man promptly conveyed to tho Hospital. Mahoney was arrested in Olsen's boarding-houso by tho two Constables, and while Constable Douglas took the prisoner to the lock-up, Conetablo Wood ley accompanied Gunther to the Hospital. Drs Butemont and Brugh were quickly at the Hospital, and lost no time in performing tho delicato operation that was necessary. Tho wound was found to be 'm the left groin, and of a serious nature, tho aperture being over an inch in length, and at the time a portion of the intestine were protruding. Gunther also had a nasty flesh wound on tho left arm, tho knife used penetrating his clothes in both instances.

Owing to Gunther's critical condition, tho police took the precaution to advico Mr James, S.M., of the affair, and at o'clock yesterday morning Gunthor waST able to make a statement, as well as identify Mahonoy as his assailant. The prisoner, who is a stiffly built " young man of the labouring class, alleges that he met Gunthcr, accompanied by several companions, at tho southern end of Queen-street, and he was attacked by them, but took refuge in Mr Ellis' baker's shop. Subsequently, ho was returning to Olsen's boardinghouso, and was with Mr Braggins, tho nightwatchman, at tho time, when he was again set upon by the samo men, knocked down an<l lacked in the head, Ho drew his knifo in self defence, and shouted "Murder!" Tho latter cry no doubt had the effect of arousing slumberers 5n the vicinity, many being quickly on the bcenc. It is further stated that prisoner, earlier in tho evening, severely punished with his fists one of Gunther's companions, who afterwards waylaid prisoner. It is alleged that prisoner was str'cing out, and Gunther perceiving a knifo in his hand, interfered, and in trying to knock prisoner's arm aside, received the wound in his left arm and then in the abdomen. Tho scufnle was only of a few seconds' duration. • f Mr Braggins states that ho was ing along Queen-street on Saturday with Mahoney, whom ho had met nearthe Convent, and, when near Candy's, prisoner was stopped by one of three men. Brajgins continued, but had only gono a few yards when ho heard a scuffle, and on returning Gunther said he had been stabbed. He then went for the polico. The knifo used was found by Mrs 01----sen in her yard yesterday morning, and is an ordinary "pampa" knife, and the blade has a sharp edge. The prisoner was formally charged at the hospital yesterday, and remanded till this morning.