TROUBLE AT A FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 4

TROUBLE AT A FIRE.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT,

(By Tclceranil—Press Association.)

Gisborno, ■September 1. A caso which lias excited a considerabte amount' of attention was heard to-day at (lie Magistrate's Court, when John Thornton deputy-superintendent of Iho firo bnKad'e, was 'charged with having assaulted Detective Mitchell during tho progress of a fire at Kaiti (a suburb) on tho 28th ultimoTho facts as slated by tho polico were that Mitchell was standing near by and that defendant' asked him to keep clear of the hose, subsequently pushing him off tho footpath and striking him a severe blow in the face. For tho defence it was pleaded that Thomson did not. know Mitchell. It' was admitted defendant pushed Mitchell oft the footpath, and that seeing MHehell advance in a threatening attitude Thomson got in the first, blow, slill unaware of Mitchell's identity. A good deal of evidence was taken, including one witness who said ho saw Mitchell shapo up to defendant after I lie latter had pushed him off the footpath. Another witness stated that Thomson was informed of Mitchells identity, but said he "did not caro. lie would have to koep back." Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M.. held that tho assault; was proved, but said the case was not one calling for a heavy penalty. Ho imposed a lino of 10s. His \\or>hip suggested that Thomson, on being made aware of Mitchell's identity, might have apologised, and expressed regret that the incident. had gone so far as lo bo brought into Court.