THE ELLIOTT ASSAULT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1744, 23 October 1917, Page 3

THE ELLIOTT ASSAULT.

“EXTREME PROVOCATION.” Auckland, Oct. 22. The charge against Christopher Charles Clements of assaulting the Rev. Howard Elliott was mentioned in the Police Court yesterday, when an application was made for a long* er adjournment. Mr Reed, K.C., stated that the defence was one of extreme provocation, and it was intended to obtain evidence that a slanderous statement had been made publicly by Elliott and also that the statements made were without warrant. It was necessary to obtain part of the evidence given before the Post Office Commission and also to obtain evidence from Taumarunui. The Inspector of Police opposed the application on the grounds that so far as be was concerned the matter was merely one of assault and that the matters mentioned by Mr Reed, did not concern the question of whether or not an assault had been committed. His Worship remarked that as the outstanding facts of the assault were candidly admitted and the defence was provocation, it was only fair to give the defendant an opportunity to prove the provocation. Of course, there was a question of how far it was proper to admit evidence applicable to an action for slander in the course of what was merely a prosecution for assault. His Worship agreed to let the ease stand till Tuesday, the day of the original remand, on the understanding that a remand till Wednesday week would be granted.