CONSTABLE INJURED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1410, 10 April 1912, Page 5

CONSTABLE INJURED.

A STREET ROW, •THTJEE MEN ARHESTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April I). Henry John Wells, Thomas Henry Lit); and John Richardson appeared at the Police Court on a charge of having, in Ciroy Street, at one o'clock this mornihj;, assaulted I'olico Constable Frederick Milis; Hub-Inspector Jlendry applied for a reii'and, as tho constable was too ill to' appear. He stated that the constable iva) very much knocked about, and had Ijpen kicked over the heart. After his arrival at the station he had fainted. Dr. Murray examined him, and ordered his removal to tho hospital. It was hard to say what tho extent o r his injuries were. Accused were rcuuiided until April 1". From informatio i gfeaned, it appears that Constable Stills was on duty in Grey Street about 11 p.m. when his attention was attracted Ly rowdyism on tho part of three moil. He proceeded (o the scene of tho turmoil, and ordered tho clisturliers of tho peace to cease thoir noise. It is alleged that one of the men named ltichardson bccime abusive and tho constable attempted to arrest him. Kichardson violently resisted being taken into custody, and in the scuffle that ensued the constable was knocked down. While he was lying on the ground he was kicked, it is alleged, by WVlls, and sustained severe injuries. He managed to make his wav to the police slatin.i, at which he arrived in a stato of collapse, fainting shortly aiterwards. Dr. Murray attended to him and ordered liim to the'hospital. He was severely kicked in tho ribs and over tho heart, out, although serious, his injuries arc not supposed to be dangerous. Later the threo men were nrresled. In his statement to the police Wells said that he was in company with men named Jiilt and Kichardson. tlu> latter of whom tho constable endeavoured to arre«t. When liiehai'dson resisted the constable lind tn use force, and ho (Wells) said: "Don't knock him about." Wells's stiitcnu-nt then went on as follows:— "J. hit the constable in the face with my clenched fist. Alter T struck the constable 1 ran up Oirey Street into a shop, and went upstairs. 1 admit that prior to the constable interfering wo were all rowdy. Wβ had had several drinks during the ilay." UK's statement was similar in effect. Ho said that when the constable wan knocked down lie called for help.. "I helped him to his foot," said I.itt. "The conslnble trio'.l to handciill' tlie inaii, and the crowd got roniul. I saw Wells kick the constable in the side. The constable blew his whistle." .Inquiries made at the Hospital elicited the inf'ormatbn that Constable Mills wae progressing very favourably.