CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11879, 15 January 1914, Page 6

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

ECHO OP LATE STRIKE

(By Telegraph. — Press Association.), AUCKLAND, Wednesday.

At the Police Court to-day, the Magistrate heard a charge of assault arising out of tho incident on tho Maheno, when Charles Thomas Reeves, prominent in I.W.W. circles, and n constant speaker during the progress of tho recent strike, was objected to asa steerage passenger on the vessel and forcibly ejected. The defendant was T. R. Brookes, and the assault complained of consisted of seizing tho complainant by the arm and pushing him off the steamer. Mr Mahonoy appeared for Reeves. In his evidence, tho complainant stated that he was followed to tho boat by a special constable, who rushed to the" hold and called out, "Here's Roevcs; come up, boys!" The volunteer firemen and special constables assembled quickly, and hurried towards him with excited queries, "Where's Reeves?" Then he was grabbed by either arm, twice pressed upwards -tt his back, causing pain, and hustled off tho steamer, and along the wharf. On the way ho was hit and kicked, his hair was pulled and his clothing torn. Defendant, who ho knew well, and saw at the head of the crowd for some distance, was the man who r.iaught him by one arm. Reeves was severely cross-examined, and the court decided that there was insufficient evidence of assault, and dismissed the case.