AUCKLAND HEROICS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1287, 29 October 1886, Page 3

AUCKLAND HEROICS.

The following account of the lafe horse- fi whipping case shows that the defendant g had “ the gift of the gab very galloping,” ' as Sam Weller would say : a John Sisson was charged with assaulting o Edward Henry Spencer, on the 2Uth ult., I at Mechanics Bay, by striking biin across S the head with a horsewhip. The defendant f' is an impulsive young man of average » height, and innocent of either moustache or i ! other hirsute growth, Spencer is consider- <1 ably his senior, has black moustache and t whiskers, and clean-shaven chin, and-is not s nearly so tall. t Mr O’Meagher appeared for the proseou- J tion. * Defendant, who was not represented by counsel, said he would plead guilty, but at c the same time ho wished to make an expla- t nation. The defendant than proceeded to say : A few months ago a young lady came up to Auckland from the South to recruit her health, and resided with a lady friend in a retired part of the city. She was in a very delicate state, having been dangerously attacked by brain fever, and consequently r perfect quet was absolutely necessary. I The prosecutor paid her frequent visits t against her will, and during her stay in 3 Auckland made her one of many offers of t marriage, which was politely refused Not to be denied, he visited her residence again j on the ISth of September, and after most E unwarrantably intruding upon the privacy , of the young lady, quietly informed her that , ha had “telegraphed her friends in tho 1 South, informing them that she had returned to convalescence, and that she was leading an abandoned life, and, in fact that he had been keeping her in Auckland as his. mistress, and the only feasible way to * redeem her honor was to enter into a speedy < marriage contract with him.” He went up ] to the residence of the young lady on the ' Tuesday following, being the 21st Soptem- J ber to inquire about the young lady’s ! health, an 1 was informed that she was | suffering from a dangerous attack of hysteria, accelerated by mental pertnrba tioo, produced by the complainant’s conduct. When fully aware of what had transpired, 1, after carefully considering the case, decided that a thorough castigation in the shape of a horsewhipping would not bo considered by any impartial person who was acquainted with the facts anything but justly meritorious. I am perfectly well aware, your Worship, that I have broken the law, and perhaps acted in an indiscreet manner, I met the complainant on.Sunday last, about 6.20 p.m., in Mechanics Bay, and dealt out in rather an unsatisfactory manner what I deem to bo thoroughly condign punishment. Owing to the occasion being an inopportune one, I had not sufficient time to administer a flagellation in its just proportion to this unmanly fellow ; and,' while not wishing to say one word in mitigation of the offence with which I stand charged, I have no doubt younAVorship will consider that the offence was reduoable to a state cf veniality, and that it is a point of equity and law' which at this time must be considered. It now devolves upon your Worship to ad--1 min’ster the law, whioh 1 hope will be in a 1 more appropriate manner than the way in which I administered the horsewhipping ; ■ and I feel sure the Court will not connive 1 at such pernicious conduct, and indirectly ! encourage such reprehensible strategy, by i awarding any substantial damages. 1 may ■ add that I have no remorse except that I ! did not apply the whip in such a manner f as to make an example of such a person t who would not scruple to tamper with the 5 character and most grossly injure the aus- • ceptibilities of a defenceless female. May I f ask that the young lady who has unfortu--1 nately been exposed to such unju-t conI tamely may be acquitted of anything that f can in any way bo considered of adishonore able nature, and that the charity of silence 3 may be exercised by Press and public alike y over one who is not present to exculpate 1. herself; lam acting on my own responsi--3 bilily, and from entirely disinterested e motives; and the only recoupment I can e wish for is that my IceVu a'tempt to ant musk this piece of atrocious villainy may ie meet with a small measure of success, 1 is may also add that Ihj ivo received a telegram ■e from the South thanking 1110 for the steps il I have taken in this matter. c- The defendant was fined 40s and coats, 1- and bound over to keep the peace.