LAND AGENTS AT LOGGERHEADS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 203, 22 May 1920, Page 5

LAND AGENTS AT LOGGERHEADS

A BREACH OF THE PEACE. Arthur Wheatley, land _ agent, was charged on the information of the police at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, .with using threatening behaviour in Lanibton Quay so as to cause a breach of the peacel Mr. J. D. Huto'hi--601 .appeared for the'defendant. Tho incident occurred in Lambton Quay near tho shop of Ferguson and Osborn, the other party being' J. B. Harcourt. John Bateman Haroourt, land agent, said that .on .May 8,. when in LariiMon Quay at 51.30 a.m., ho met the defendant, who was very much agitated, and taid, "When are' you going to settle that account?" Witness replied that tho case was the other way about. The defendant then struck witness on. tho face and there were two other blows. Witness then went into a shop and was followed by tho defendant. Later, witness called to a policeman and .gave ; Wheat-ley in charge. To Mr. Hutchison: There'was a matte'.- of accounts between them. There wns an overdue promissory note of Wheatley's. Witness did not lay the information against defendant; it was. laid by the police. • Constable Redmond eaid that he was called by Harcourt, who' was very excited, and said. "Arrest this man," referring to Wheatley, who was present. Both men were very excited and they appeared 'to witness to have had a heated argument. 'Wheatley made a statement at the.police station, which was read. The defendant, A. Wheatley, said he worked for HaTcnurt and Co. for some time and left them at the time of the epidemic. There were accounts to be adjusted between them. He owed■ Har-' court's money, and they owed him money. \He had previously asked forn statement, and when he met Mr. Harcourt that morning he asked him to send in the statement. . Harcourt wns excited and said, "You owe me ponw money, too," and raised the stick he -ivas carrying. . Witness thought Harcourt intended to hit him with the ertiek. Witness put up one hand to protect himself and with the other he pushed Harcourt away and kr.ncked his hat off. Tho whole thing hanpened in a ' moment. Harcourt called out "Police," and witness replied, "I will find you a policeman." They got the policeman on the Quay, and witness miadc a statement ,to \the 'policeman which was on the lines of his evidence. The Magistrate held that tho defendant was the aggressor and had admitted striking the complainant. He would bo fiued JC3 and costs.