A SERIOUS ASSAULT.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1923, Page 1

A SERIOUS ASSAULT.

[by telegraph—nut press association.] TE RUITL Nov. 5. An assault of a particularly serious nature is alleged to have occurred at Piopio on Saturday evening, resulting in the removal of the victim. Augustus lloeft, to Piopio Hospital, where he now lies in a dangerous condition; and in the arrest of John Hobson, who was this morning charged with assault. The circumstances were not outlined in court, but in a statement to the police, Hobson said he came into Piopio. township hue on Saturday afternoon, and joined a party of cricketers with whom he had a few drinks, tie was looking for his horse when lie met Hoet't, who is a (leiman-Samoan. Hobsun alleges that lloeft endeavoured to pick a quarrel, using liitliy language, and that he disregarded several warnings, whereupon Hobson threw him against the. side of a house. lloeft rushed at him again, and the pair struggled hefore tailing to the ground. Hobson here alleges that Hocft buried liis teeth in liis hand, biting him severely, and had to he pulled oil by some spectators. The pair then separated, hut later in the evening, lloeft again met Hobson, using filthy language, and calling him objectionable names, before rushing al him. Hobson picked up the lirst weapon handy, which happened tu be a wooden stake about five feet in length, ami lie struck his assailant. laying him out. lloeft was taken to tiie hospital, where a medical exaini naton disclosed serious injuries to the base of his skull. His condition was considered extremely precarious last light, but it is understood that-a slight improvement- is noticeable litis morning. Hobson was charged with assault this morning before .Messrs Alostyn Jones, and Sheaf J.P.’s, and on the tip-plication of the police, was remanded for a week. Bail, which was forthcoming, was fixed tit £4OO.