POLICE COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 22 July 1909, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Mixed Assault Case. At the local Police Court this morning, before Messrs Thomas Rimmer aud F. W. Frankland, J.’sP., Cyril Wanklyn was charged, on the information of William Snow, with on July 17, unlawfully assaulting him by striking him in the face with hi? clenched fist; and William Snow was charged on the information of Cyril Wanklyn, with, on July 17, unlawfully assaulting him by slashing at him with a pair of scissors, and kicking at him. Both cases were taken together. Mr Reade appeared for Snow and Mr Barnard for Wanklyn and both pleaded not guilty. The following evidence was - taken : William Snow stated that on Saturday, July J7UI, at about 10.5 p.m., he went into Mr Ball’s billiard-room. As he passed into the room Wanklyn caught hold of his coat but he brushed past him. Wanklyn followed witness into the room and he walked round the billiard-table, where Wanklyn grabbed him and started mauling him about. There were several men in the room at the time and Wanklyn was not sober. He freed himself and went into the hairdressing saloon, where Wanklyn again caught hold of him. He attempted to strike witness and had in his hand a big knife which was half open. Witness picked up the scissors with which to defend himself, but on Wanklyn putting the knife away, he put the scissors down. Wanklyn tore witnesses coat and struck him on the left eye with his clenched fist, causing it to blacken., Mr Ball told witness that he had better get outside, and on going put Wanklyn again attempted td seize him but was prevented by Mr BallWitness had been on bad terms with Wanklyn for some months past. Wanklyn had once told witness in the street that he would “have his gore some time.” Witness said that he would not have gone into the billiard-room had he' known Wanklyn was there. /■ Wanklyn had assaulted him once at Grey town, when he (Wanklyn) was under the influence of liquor.

To Mr Barnard: Did not make a swipe at Wanklyn with the scissors. Wanklyn knocked witness > down and he fell under the: barber’s chair, and he then kicked witness. Witness then tried to kick Wanklyn.

Constable Woods in evidence stated that on July 17 shortly after ten o’clock, Snow came to him and laid an information against Wanklyn for assaulting him. Snow’s eye was swollen and there was some blood around it. From enquiries he made at the billiard-room he understood that Wanklyn arrived by the 9.30 p.m. train with the football team and was under the influence of liquor. Snow bears a good character and there had been no previous convictions against him. Wanklyn had been before the court on two previous occasions, and had been fined once for wilfull damage and once for inciting a prisoner to resist the police. He usually gets under the influence of.liquor on Saturday nights,.

Sam Hamuera stated that on July 17 saw Snow come into the billiard room and saw Wanklyn catch hold of him. Told them to go outside. They went into the saloon and witness heard a fall. Afterwards saw that Snow had a black eye. Wanklyn was under the influence of liquor. Snow did not speak to Wanklyn. , At this stage the case was adjourned until 2 p.m.