AN EFFECT OF THE WAR?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 276, 10 August 1918, Page 9

AN EFFECT OF THE WAR?

FRENCHMAN AND HIS HORSES

DISPUTE WITH NATURALISED ,SUBJECT "My client, is a Frenchman, and defendant is a Gorman, and tho German assaulted my cjient; the trouble arose in . that way," said Mr. E. M. Bceckey, in opening a case, at the Magistrate's Court before Mr. L.,' 6. Beid, S.M., yesterday, in which' a professional. juggler named Henri French proceeded against J. It.' Meyer on an information of having assaulted him on Sunday last. Mr. 11. F. O'Leary appeared for defendant, who denied the allegation. Mr. Beorhcy said that in connection with his business informant had several horses, and when he camo to Wellington a few days ago he desired accommodation for the animals. He 6aw defendant regarding a certain section in Ghuznoe Street, and Meyer referred him to Mr. Eggers, land agent. French took the section for a week, paying Mr. Eggers l (i sum of dC2 as rent. A day or two afterwards ho was accosted by defendant,' who demanded n sum of 305., but for what reason it had not been discovered. "Apparently it was for the reason that he was a German, and proud of it," Mr. Beeehey went on. Defendant also said that if the money was not paid he would let • the informant's horses out. Th? horses were let out, but it was not known by whom, although it was assumed that defendant was responsible. Informant went to seo defendant about the matter last Sunday afternoon, and upon inquiring whether the 'animals had been turned loose by tho defendant, the latter struck him, and -.pushed him out of hie office.

|- French, said that when he refused to ]>ay defendant the 305., Meyer remarked, "I am a German, and am proud of it." "Witness replied, "That is. nothing to [ me." The next day the. horses were let I out. "When ho went to interview Meyer regarding the horses, defendant grasped him by the throat, punched him on the I cheat, and violently ejected him from his office. . ' ■ , In reply to Mr. O'Loary, French stated that ho suffered no ill-effect from the assault. Ho denied attacking Moyer first. Mr. O'Leary: Yon. are French ?—"Yes, I was bom in Paris." Wo are given to understand that the French are very excitable ?—"No; we aro cot excitable; we are very just." You get excited when your horses, are lot outr'-"Well, we don't like that." Meyer says you made a rush at him ?—'. "Oh, nD; I would not hit an old gentleman/" . Did you try to get back after he had thrown you out of his office?—"No; I had had enough." (Laughter.) You were,out quick and lively?jp"Oh, yes; I was quick—just like a bomb going off." (Laughter.) William Douglas, a youtli,. gave evidence' in corroboration of tho previous I witness's statements. . "Thiq is a case in which tho present unfortimato state of events is being exploited: at tho expense of Mr. Meyer," observed Mr. O'Jjsary. "Mr. Meyer ie a naturalised subject, who has been in our community for forty-five years, and who has never been before the Court for an offence of this kind. Becauso Mr. Meyer had the misfortune to be born in tho German Empire that fact is being used to prejudice him iir this case." Counsel went on to state' that French rushed defendant, who merely acted within, his rights in attempting to remove him from his own premises. Dedenied assaulting Frencn. "Moves'is over seventy years of age, his health ie not too good, and ho does not want to get into holts with anybody," concluded Mr. O'Leary. Defendant said he had been a builder formerly, and hart lived in Wellington for forty-five yeois. He , had asked French for a deposit of 305., 10s.'to bo handed back if the paddock was left clean, the remaining £1 to ]>e a charge .for valor, etc. Defendant detai.eir the circumstances of-the dispute in his offico 011 the Sunday afternoon, and said that French was tho aggressor. Ho merely put French out of the premises. French came back, and he had to eject him again. All that happened was that French camd into his office in a violentlyexcited state-, and witness put him oiit. when the conversation* took placo about the payment of tho 305., French refused to pay it, saying, "I am a blooming Frenchman, Vm not going to pay." "■! replied that I was a blooming Gorman, that was all/'i added defendant. Mr. Beechoy; Did you say you were a German, and proud of it, too? No; I could not say I am a German, and proud of it. I -was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, and in 1866 I wont to Switzerland, and am a naturalised Swiss subject. My grandfather was born in Switzerland. His Worship said tho evidence was so conflicting that he would dismiss the information without, prejudice.