CHINESE LAUNDRY AFFRAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1926, Page 4

CHINESE LAUNDRY AFFRAY.

BLENHEIM SHOPKEEPER, CHARGED. [UY TELEGRAPH—PEIt TRESS ASSOCIATION.] BLENHEIM. March 18. Considerable public interest was manifested in the hearing before AH Maunsell. S.M., of charges against Wm George Burton, a well-known Blenheim shopkeeper, arising out ot an affray on the evening of Mardi 2nd when a Chinese .laundry was wrecked and its manager was pushed through a plate-glas window, the manager sustained a nasty cut on the arm in the process.

Tlie police alleged that Burton was the author of the damage, and the causative agent of the Chinaman's injuries and lie was charged on two

The first charge was that on March 2nd he wilfully damaged tour panes of glass valued at I’ll His Hd. the property of .Jim 1,00. thus constituting an olfenee of mischief.

Burton was informed when the charge was read that the alleged olfenee was an indictable one. Tie had therefore, the option of being tried before a .Magistrate or before the

Supreme Court. Rather unexpectedly Burton announced that he preferred trial by jury. His Worship pointed out that the case eon Id have been brought within Magisterial jurisdiction by charging tile accused under the Police' Olleuces Act. and, after consideration, Scrgt. Stark, asked leave to prepare a fresh charge, and withdraw the charge aliready read. jt- - r A. AlcNab. who appeared for the accused, objected to the charge being amended as suggested and it was liuallv agreed to leave the point in abeyance and proceed with the second charge, which was of assault. Scrgt. Stark, outlining the ease for the prosecution, said that on the night of March 2nd Burton visited the laundry and asked lor his collars; but there were no collars ot his in the place, and he then lost his temper and assaulted the Chinese manager, Ngan Tong, by catching him by the throat and pushing him through the window, after which he proceeded to heave a

poVtmantcaux. etc., through the remaining panes ot glass. ’1 lie Chinaman had sustained a bad cut on the arm. which had necessitated his removal to ttte hospital and treatment

The defence was that there Imd been no actual assault. Burton was on friendly terms with the Chinese and generally called at the laundry. Ngan Tong made a remark about a person whom Burton held in high esteem. Burton became angry and the Chinaman, possibly frightened by Burton’s demeanour, stepped hack through the window, which went nearly to the ground. Burton would admit, however. that he, in anger, threw one basket, through the window. The Magistrate decided to give Burton the option of a line and fined the defendant L" 10 and costs. The objection was withdrawn to the indictable charge being amended and Burton was' formally charged under the Police Olleuces Act. with wilfully damaging four panes of glass valued at i'll Ills ,'ld, the property of dim Lee. Burton pleaded guilty and without further evidence being called he was convicted and lined L’.’l and costs.