SERIOUS AFFRAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 2, 7 September 1880, Page 2

SERIOUS AFFRAY.

# A serious affray occurred in the vicinity of the Oroua Bridge on Saturday last. For soq^e time past a dispute has keen going on between a settler named Osborne and a man named Pearce. The latter, who lives -with the Maoris at the bridge, denies Osborne ! s ownership to some land situated up the Oroua River, but in an action tried in the District Court at Palmerston at its last sitting, the land was adjudged to be Osbotne's property. Pearce has taken his defeat very unkindly, and on more than one occasion has caused annoyance to the Osborne family. Recently, he has erected a wfiare adjacent to the line of boundary, and on Saturday last Osborne was passing along the laud when he was intercepted by Pearce and two other men, who were each armed with poles about twelve feet long, sharpened at the end. After a slight exchange of words, Pearce drove his pole at Osborue, striking him on the left side with great force ; he was

then knocked down and jumped on by his assailant. Qsborne's two sons, who were riding at some little distance behind their father, rushed to his rescue, when they were attacked by the two other men. One pole passed under the head strap of the the elder one was riding, grazed along the neck of the horse, and struck the rider on the front of the hip. He seized the pole and jjprced it out of his assailant's hand. The younger Osborne was also struck by the third man, but the pole passed aoross his abdomen and out at the other side without inflicting any damage, although his shirt was considerably torn. The sons then beat off their asssilants, placed their father on a horse, and took him home. Osborne, who is an elderly man, was brought to Foxton yesterday for medical attendance. He appeared to be suffering considerably from the wound in his side (some of the ribs are breken), and bad to -be assisted to Whyte's Hotel, where his injuries were attended to by Dr. Barber. The above particulars were obtained from what we believe to be thoroughly reliable sources.