BOY'S VENDETTA

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13388, 16 January 1917, Page 3

BOY'S VENDETTA

YOUTH CHfIKGF.D WSTH ASSAULT. .max n.xi:!> i*ifit curx^i'.f.LiXii. A i-uy nl' - : 'n Ke!'.;, \v: s . ed before the Ilami!ton Court yesterday Willi assaulting another hoy Rained Leo Lafi'ertv, by striking him in the face with liis clenched list. A man named Trask was charged with counselling the offence.. Lafferty declared that Kelly, for no obvious reason, pulled him off his cycle, kicked him in the back and struck him in the face. ceived a complaint from Lafferty at about 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, when the boy's nose was bleeding and lie was crying. His Worship said that he could not believe Kelly's story at all. Police evidence showed that Kelly was the makings of a hard case as he was out till all hours ipu tlie^moping. Defendant was fined £2, which he was given a month to. pay. * Sydney Trask was then charged with ■ counselling the offence. Lafferty stated that after he and Kelly came from behind the library Trask told Kelly that he should have "given him a crack when he had the chance." Later Trask told Kelly to crack witness again, as it was no use poing home with one. Trask knew witness had been kicked in the back when he counselled Kelly to hit witness again. Cross-examined, witness stated that 1 the constable who came on the scene remarked that it was only two boys arguing and they had better go up on the hill and have it out. Kelly left him at 10 o'clock, and tliey did not meet till midnight. He was absolutely sure that Trask told Kelly to hit him. After Kelly had hit him, Trask was asked by Kelly if he should hit witness again. Trask replied that Kelly -could please himself, but if he (Trask) were he, he ought to do so. Trask knew he had been kicked, because witness told Constable Mullen stated' that about half-past 11 he heard the argument,, and Trask was present, Trask told the' boys to go up on the hill and have it out.. < Kelly offered to light, but Lafferty • said he did not want to light, but merely wanted his bicycle. Constable Evatt corroborated his evidence as to Lafferty's complaint. He - heard Tragk advise Kelly to bfish it into , Laffe.rty; He took Lafferty's..statement in Trask's presence, after which Trask went .away. »■ ■ ~ ? - Percy Kelly, the prior defendant, deposed that he did not hear Trask advise him to .hit Lafferty. He proceeded to give further evidence, When the Magis- * trate jiiterposed-that hevdid-not believe 3 < a word th&t witness said. . Chas.Pryor sltit&l that he'heard that : ' Lafferty accused .of taking, his bicycle. Trask' came along ati'd ' lojd < Lafferty that Kelfy would not' iafce. "his ' bicycle. Trask was with him in front of the library, while Kelly and Lafferty were looking for the bicycle. When the latter two returned Trask asked Keliy why he did not hit Lafferty when he had him down there. ••They then * adjourned to Mooney's, at the back of the Theatre. After Lafferty came from Mooney's Kelly asked him if he kicked him. Lafferty replied that he did not. Witness did not hear Trask speak. Kelly did hit Lafferty. Lafferty has offered to fight witness several times.] The Magistrate remarked upon the lack of dignity in a married man in counselling boys to fight. He beltsyed the boy Lafferty's evidence. The defendant would be fined £2 and costs 7s, in default seven days' hard labour. A request &r a prohibition order against i v Trask was adjourned for a month.