"Smashing The Kaiser"

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 August 1916, Page 2

"Smashing The Kaiser"

■ • AN INTERNATIONAL SCIM'P.

(Ohristchurch. fc>*Uu)

At the Magistrate's Court, Gliristcliiirchj before Mr T. A. Ji. Bailey, S.M.. Christian Meyerhof (Mr Gresson) proceeded against Patrick Sloanc (Mr Howe) for the recovery of CI3, sa id, by p'aintilf to have been placed an tho care of defendant.

Mr Gresson said that Meyerhof was one of the early (ionium settlers ii.nd was a> kindly-natured old man. Ho had .sold a dray for ,€l3, andi that night liad ca'led at the Sloanes' home and mentioned ilie circumstances. Ait Mrs Shiane'.s instigation lie had handed tho £13 to her for a day or two, but Mibseijiiently Sloanc had persuaded Meyerhof to let liini hold the money for two months. The money had not been >eturned. AYhen Mrs Sloanc was returninu" borrowed articles th"erc was some trouble. Mrs Sloanc had said "AATiat about your Kaiser picture? lam going to smash it." She did smash it and Meyerhof had been hit. Tho pielure was a,n old one. MeyerhoT's wife who was d.ead, had made a collection of pictures of reigning sovereigns and the pictures wore placed on the walk. The Kaiser's portrait was .among others. Christian Meyerhof .said lie had been in New Zealand for fifty years and lived at "Lincoln. He knew the Sloancs. lie had rcc'ivei t!l3 from a man naine ! Baker and hadi gone to Sloane's. The money was for payment for sale of a spring dray. He had told the Xh-anes that he had the money and Mrs Slo-me (suggested that it was unsafe for an old man to have so much money on him ,'i'id .suggested that he .shouddi hand it to her for safekeeping. He did so.

and had agreed to the Sloanes holding the money for two month. It wa.s at Sioane's request iTiat the money was to be held for two months. lie had be."i una'ble to obtain the money since. Mr.-, Sloane had come to his house aid smashed a picture of tile Kai.ser and Cad knocked him down.

To Mr Howe: He did not drink heavily and be was quite sober oil the day lie had, received the money I'rolii Baker. He had been in the Tai Tapu hotel r i>r a little while. He had withdrawn, lis money from the Post Office (Savings ISank. He put it in a sale place—-not in a bank. He had not asked tho Sloancs to give him a receipt when he handed the money to Mrs Sloanc.

Mr Howe said that the ease presentel some peculiar features. It might lie termed an "International Scrap." Plaintiff ivas a (Herman. He and the Slnanes wore neighbours. They had; borrowed articles from one another and recently, when the iSloanps had a elearitig sale.. -Mrs Sloane had returned cerra;n articles which she had borrowed. The Sioaiies' son had enlisted and Meyerhof knew that. A.t the house Meyerliof had made disparaging remarks about the British and had struck Airs. iSloane. The money had never been banded to the Sloanefi. As a matter of fact the iS'loanes had done many little acts of kindness for Meverliof.

Patrick S'oane gave evidence thai ho had never seen the motley. He and; Meyerhof borrowed In useho'.d or farm articles from one another. Meyerhof recently had asked liim to sign a paper a«lcnowlod<r : i!ip: that lie owed hint CI3. He refused. He bad ne'er had any finan ial deilinijK with Meyerhof.

To Mr Gresson: Ho dnd .not know if liis wife had any money from Meyorliof. Ho did not know of any trains actie.il. Jent'ma Sloanc. wife of defendant, give evidence denying tliat had. over {riven lior £13. Witness detailed eii eumstanees leadiing to remarks made l»y Meyerhof iiisir- tlio British and to "tlip smashing of tlio "Kaiser." Hpv blood was 1171 and slip pummelled "Meyerhof. Slip had been knocked about hv Meyerhof. hut- had not allowed hoi" husband; to interfere.

To Mr Gresson: Moverhof was alwnv« e.\-nrp=s : ug anti-British sentiments mill wns always tellinc: lipr that slip should keep her liny iit home and not, send him tn the war. Meyerhof was always runnins: down the British, anil it was after malting i'lsitltiiiu remarks about the nation tliat slip "opened out 011 tlic German and sma-elied the "Kaiser."