GREYTOWN ASSAULT CASE

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2587, 22 October 1867, Page 4

GREYTOWN ASSAULT CASE

Hugh O'Connor, an old settler residing at Gj-rey-town, was charged hy Elizabeth Braggins with an assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Tho plaintiff sworn, said : On tho 25th Sept. I went to Miss Hooman, schoolmistress, as general servant. On the morning of tho 26th I was lighting a fire outside, for the purpose of boiling my clothes, as I was going to wash on that day, when the defendant camo and put out my fire after I had lit it. After this I went into Miss Hooman's house.

By the Court : Miss Hooman's house is attached to prisoner's. She rents it from him. When 1 camo out again I spoke to prisoner. He was at .work near the house putting xip a building. He jumped over tho piles of the building and took me by tho shoulders, and threw me down with my back on some firewood. He was holding mo down when my mistress came. I screamed in fulling, winch brought her to the Bpot. She begged of him to let me go. Ho did so, and commenced using abusive language. All the time I was on the ground prison'. 1 ) 1 hold me down.

By the prisoner: I am not in the habit of playing Miss llooman's piano. I did not walk from Miss liooman's back-door to your back-door to speak to you ; I merely walked past. You did not shout to mo and tell me to go away. I did not shout liil you Ihvew me down. I did not speak to you about dancing when I came out of tin? house. I was nn>t promised any money for prosecuting you. I was not promised a now dress ico." prosecuting you. Tho money paid for tho summons waa not give;i mo. You did say Miss Hooman was jealous because you did not do the same to her. I have not heard yon tell Miss Ilooninn that you would not allow any nightwalkers about your place. I havo been out with Miss Hooman until half-past 10, but not later. Your daughter and Miss Hooman came out when I was down on the firewood. Mrs O'Connor was not present. I had no business with you when you came to me. Your conduct lias been better since you know that a summons was taken out against you. I did go into your house the day after for a bucket. I have never been in your house while you were there, that I am aware of.

By tho Cou'-t : He had been drinking, but I cannot say ho was tho worse for liquov when ho committed tho assault. I do not know what motive he had in knocking mo down. 310 gave me no blow, but hurt me very much in throwing mo down.

By the prisoner : I did not do my washing that day. I did not tell your daughter since that it was in joke you did it. I did not tell your daughter that it was at Miss Homan's instigation I summoned you. I did hear from Miss Hooman that she was about to leave your house. This closed the case fjr the prosecution. The prisoner, in defence, stated that it was on accoxmt of his having given Miss Hooman notice to leave his place that the case was brought into Court, and bo believed that had it not been for Miss Hooman tho caso would not have been made public. Prisoner was bound over to keep tho peace fov three months, himself in £50, and two sureties in £25 each.