AN ASSAULT CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 510, 5 September 1902, Page 3

AN ASSAULT CASE.

At the Police Court yesterday Stephen South pleaded guilty to assaulting William McGee on Tuesday evening. McGee pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, | and was cautioned and discharged. Sergeant Siddells related the circumstances, in regard to which the witnesses could, if necessary, be called. McGee and South met "in the Albion Hotel, where after a drink or two they started wrestling. South threw McKee, whose head struck on the corner of the billiard room, inflicting a wound. McGee then went to the Albion stables, and washed his head, which was seen to be smothered in blood from the wound on the back of his head. Shortly afterwards both men'appeared at the Masonic Hotel, where they were evidently friendly. Then a row started, and the Sergeant was inclined to think both were eager for fighting. They were separated by one of the employees, who, seeing that McGee was in a bad state, took South outside, and brought McGee into the back yard. South promised to "o home, but instead of doing so wai ed outside the hotel. McGee was advised to see a doctor, and went out of the Lowe street entrance. Detective Nixon at that time passed South, who was hurrying from about the reading room to the hotel. As McGee was wiping his face, South struck him a severe blow, and the ttvo fell on the footpath. Detective Nixon saw South pushing McGee’s head on the footpath, and on the spot being afterwards examined a fairly large pool of blood was found, He could not say whether the former wound was increased, probably it was. Detective Nixon brought McGee to 1 “the station, where he was attended by Dr Williams. . i Mr Lysnar, for accused, said it was McGee who assaulted South in the Masonic, as he had his coat off, and South was smarting from the insult,

Sergeant Siddells stated there was a previous conviction against accused for damaging property in Auckland. His Worship considered the assault a very cowardly one. A penalty of L 5 was imposed,(costs 2s, medical expenses Li is. in default of payment within 14 days 3o days’ hard labor.