Justices' Court.

Manawatu Herald, 23 September 1899, Page 2

Justices' Court.

THIS DAY. (Before E. S. Thynne and Alf-Fraser, Esqrs., J.s P. ASSAULT CASE. Amy Hutcbinson charged John A. Perreau with an assault on Wednesday afternoon. Amy Hutchinson deposed— On the 20th of this month Mr Perreau came home between 3 and 4 in a bad temper, and he asked me if he could call me by my Christian name and asked me to be his wife, and said if I would not I had better go. He spit at me saying " take that." I said I required a month's wages. He said "if you say any more of it I will put you out of the house." I told him he had better not. Mr Perreau's son and Mr A. Osborne saw me crying at the gate soon after Mr Perreau had insulted me. Examined by Mr Perreau — The assault took place between 3 and 4. I saw Mr A. Osborne once that day before you came home. He came to borrow a stone. He returned the stone before tea time. I did complain to Mr Osborne. Have never brought any charge against any other man. Archibald Osborne deposed — I went on 20th to Perreau's for a stone. I returned the stone about 5 o'clock, and Mrs Hutchinson came out crying and made a complaint. Mrs Hutchinson asked me in the presence of Perreau if it was right that he should address her by her Christian name. I said I did not think it was unless she agreed to it. Mr Perreau said " I do not see anything wrong in it." Mr Perreau came out soon after Mrs Hutchinson and

said " I suppose she has been showing you some of my letters." Examined by Mr Perreau — I did not mention to you that Mrs Hutchmson had made any complaint; You met me the next day and I told you that Mrs Hutchinson had not made any complaint to me. Mrs Hutchinson came out crying and said you had wanted her to act as your wife and had spat on her. John A. Perreau deposed— l deny any assault and any spitting. On tha afternoon I gave Mrs Hutchinson notice and told her she could remain until she was suited. Mrs Hutchinson became very excited, and said if she. f was to go she would go at once, I told her she could please herself about that. Her statement that I asked her to act as my wife is 'completely and utterly false, such an idea had never entered my mind. Examined by Mrs Hutchimon — You were not going to leave me be. fore. Never gayeyou any reference^ I did not threaten to turn you out of the house. The Bench considered the charge of assault was proved, and convicted and inflicted a fine of 40s and costs 9s, in default 7 days' imprisonment in Wanganui Gaol. -A J • **-■>