INGRATITUDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1925, Page 4

INGRATITUDE.

DKXKKAf TRK-S SAIAf K ED ON FACE. WELLINGTON, May 16. Arriving in Xew Zealand last December. Thomas Diamond, a ID-year-old youth from .Scotland, was greeted with open arms by his aunt who housed ami led him gratis lor a month, and secured him a position at L'3 17s fid per week. She had also found L'6 10 s towards his passage out. On April 2Dth he showed his gratitude by striking her on the face at the ioi lier of Cuba and Vivian streets, and the sequel was staged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr ('. I!.! Orr-Walker, S.AI.

■Mr Jackson appeared for eomplaii ant. and .Mr Perry for defendant, vv I was charged with assault. •Mr Jackson told the bench that di fondant Imd been keeping had hum and 1 1 eipient ing city hilliard-rooim llis conduct became so had that .Mi Knott had Imd to get rid of bin Prior to the trouble she had opened Post Oliico Savings Hank account, t encourage him to save his monev. On the day of the assault .Mrs Knot was going to the pictures, and pass ing the corner ol Cuba and Yivia streets defendant confronted her am demanded his bank-book. Follovvin some conversation about the L'o If) he owed :M is Knott defendant gave he a violent smack across the mouth, can sing it to -well considerably. Shortly afterwards a constable cairn along, and Diamond and his aunt, wit! the two companions thev were with went along to .Mount Cook Police Sia lion, where Mrs Knott was advised li see a sein itor. Defendant had sail that his aunt struck at him first, hill that was denied. The assault was nol only a cowardly one, hut the blow was m.o-t severe and took place in a public street.

I nder cross-examination in the box by Mr Jackson defendant denied that he frequented billiard-rooms and gambled, lie had only had one game of billiards since he arrived in the country, lie had not kept had hours while living with his aunt. "They would have killed you if vou had gone home at I) o'clock, he declared. lie alleged that on the night of the assault ho had asked his aunt civilly for liis bank-book, and she had called him a dirty young puppv, at the same time raising her arm to strike him. Tie fended oIT the blow, and in doing so may have hurt her mouth. Tin* magistrate said lie was satined on the evidence that defendant had assaulted his aunt. "Defendant is very young, and is starting in New Zealand very badly in assaulting a woman win had paid money to bring him out to the Dominion, and who had treated him like a son. The assault was quit? unjustified.” Defendant was fined £3 and costs, totalling in all £7 10s. He was given a fortnight to find the money.