MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2275, 8 October 1914, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON A CIiINAMAN THE COURTENAY PLACE AFFAIR ASSAILANT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL After being remanded a number of times, James Little appeared before Mr. W. G. ltiddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, charged with assaulting Worig Joe, a Chinaman, in Oourtenay Place, on September 17 last,. bo as to cause him actual bodily harm. The charge was an indictable one. Mr. V. R. Meredith, representing the Chinese Association, appeared for Wong Joe. Accused, a rather tall man, of thirty years, was not represented by counsel. Mr. H. Jackson interpreted the Chinese evidence. Wong Joe's Story. Wong Joe, who took his place in the witness-box with the lower part of his face swathed in bandages, said he was a labourer, residing , in Haining Street, *nd was fifty-six years of age. He was about) to cross Courtenay Place in the direction of Tory Street on the occasion of the assault, when someone struck him a severe blow on the left temple. The blow felled him, and after calling out three times, he grew unconscious, and knew no more. He regained consciousness at the Manners Street Police He did not know who struck him, neither had he spoken or said anything to annoy anybody. He knew he had been taken to the hospital and treated for a fractured jaw, and was still suffering from the effects of the affair.

Dr. F. Matheson, resident house surgeon at "Wellington Hospital, described the state of Wong Joe on his arrival at the institution. What Eye-Witnessos Saw. Edward Wilkie, baker, said he witnessed the assault in Courtenay Place. He saw' the accused walk up to. the Chinaman, who was about to cross the road, and strike him a blow. The Chinaman fell, and the accused then bumped on him with his knees, ros<s-, and kicked him four times on the face j nnil head. The Chinaman was screaming all the while. Accused then walked up Tory Street quite leisurely. Inspector Hendrey (to witness): Did the Chinaman kick him? Witness (emphatically) '. Of course not. Clarence Herbert Snow, labourer, and Alexander Lyons, expressman, other eye-witness of the affair, also gave evidence. "Somo One Should Kill the ." • Constable Evans said that on hearing of the assault from the witness Snow, ho had mado his way to, the scqne of the affair. Near the Princess Hotel witne-ss accosted the accused, telling him that he had received a .complaint about tho assault. Accused replied: ''They are always pointing at mo. Some oiip should kili all tho lot of tho -." Witness then arrested accused, and charged him with tho offence at the police station. Accused was quite sober. This concluded tho evidence, and on being asked if ho had anything to say accused said: "I only got to say that I had a big lump on my leg." ' The Magistrate: Very woll. You can explain that in tho Supreme Court. - \Vheii 4 asked whether he was guilty or not guilty.fa<&uaed;replied, "I. plead guilty to striking the Chinaman. I got him down on the ground and rubbed his hair." The Magistrate- Accused will bo-com-mitted to the Supreme Court for sentence. .. ~''.' SEAMEN IN TROUBLE. Ah Yek, a Chines© fireman on board the s.s. Physa, wa-s charged with absenting himself from that ship without i leave. The master of the ship stated that accused was a prohibited emigrant, and that none of the crew were allowed on shore. Through aii interpreter Ah Yek pleaded that he had been ill. and had gono ashore for sonio Chineso medicine. The Magistrate informed accused that he was guilty of a breach of the Act, and that he should have informed an officer of his illness. Accused was ordered to pay costs 75., or spend 48 hours in gaol. Mr. H. Jackson acted as interpreter, but- did not claim his fee. Herbert Lawton, who deserted from tho Star of Victoria in April lsst, was fifentenced to 14 days' gaol. For disobeying the lawful commands of the master of tho s.s. Arrino, Anders Linstead was fined 205., with costs 7s. An alternative of 48 hours' gaol was allowed. Frederick Whiting and William Garrett were each charged with absenting themselves without leave from the Riiahine, and also with the theft of clothes valued at £3 the property of James Vyse. On the first charge each was ordered to forfeit two days' pay, and on the second each wore lined 20s. or seven days' gaol. . OTHER OASES. Two old offenders, John Williamson and George Uees were charged with tho theft of clothes valued at £6 10s. from the shop of George 11. Rogers. Both pleaded not guilty. The evidence, as well as their past records, was against the two, and each was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. The case against John Ryan of receiving from Jenny Lind £25 and a watch and chain valued at £2 10s., the property of Sydney Moore, well knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained, was adjourned on account ofpressure of Court business. Catherine O'Conner, with seven convictions against her within the past six months, was fined 405., or '..even days' gaol, for drunkenness.. Similarly charged John Everitt -and Henry M'Cusker were each fined 10s. or 48 hours, and John Sullivan fined 405., or seven days. John O'Sullivan, who was , found helplessly drunk in Clyde Quay, was remanded until October 14 for medieal treatment.

At the Magistrate's Court in Christchurch yesterday, states a Press Association telegram, a young man named George Joseph Dobbs was committed for trial on a charge of carnal knowledge. The offence was alleged to have taken place at a "bach" where the girl stayed tor the week-end.