“ Razors in the Air.”

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1922, Page 4

“ Razors in the Air.”

fight on the otabama

WELLINGTON, July 21

John J’utricK Mullen, a seaman on tlie liner Otarama, appeared, charged with committing -assault upon -James Givins, so ns to cause him actual bodily harm. j Both men, said Sub-Inspector McNamara who prosecuted, were members of the crew of the Otarama. On advice of tlie. medical man who had been called in, lie asked for the charge to be reduced to one of common as- | sault. i

Both men had been ashore on Saturday last, and had had liquor. At 8 o’clock in the evening, when they were both in the forecastle of the steamer once again, Givins went into the lava-

tory, and accused followed him, to say, “I don’t like you,” or words to that effect. Turning on his heel, Mullen went* to his hunk and took down a razor. The men closed and fought. Mullen raised the blade high above bis head and came towards Givings, and the struggle which followed was a great one. Givings was slashed upon his check. A second razor came from somewhere, where t-lie police did not know; but its broken fragments were found upon the deck. The thing had been a close call for Givins; had the wound been a little deeper the results would have been fatal. NOT WANTED.

“We don’t want him here,” said the sub-inspecto*. 'Pile man had only about C- coming to him and the Otarama was due to sail to-dav. Dr W. H. Mackin, was called to testify as to the seriousness of the wound Much blood-letting had taken place, hilt the gash was only a superficial one. ‘■They don’t want him hack on the ship,” remarked Mr McNamara, “so liis record there would not seem too good.” “I was intoxicated,” was- nil that Mullens had to say about the matter. “Fourteen days’ hard labour,” was the sentence of the bench. Mr McNamara rose to his fret. “I think this man would he better out of the country,” lie said. “Will Your Worship make an older for him to be placed aboard he vessel ?” The Magistrate decided to do this.

“I can’t treat a case of this nature as if it were an ordinary assault.” he said. “If a man uses a knife lie must nt> punished for it.”