ALLEGED THEFT AND ASSAULT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2014, 12 August 1919, Page 3

ALLEGED THEFT AND ASSAULT.

ON TIIMATAXCI ROAD. CHINAMAN KNOCKED ABOUT

Yesterday evening the local police received advice that a Chinaman, employed at the gardens at Hima(angi, had been assaulted by two persons Avhom he found stealing vegetables from Hie gardens. On arrival at the scene, they found the Chinaman in a semi-conscious state, showing evidence of having been rather badly knocked about. He had an ugly cut across the head, Avhich was also bruised in other places, and had lost a good deal of blood. Medical aid avus immediately summoned, and the man’s .wounds attended to.

From the story told by the other Chinamen, it appears that two men in a gig, on their Avay from Foxton to their homes, pulled up opposite the gardens, left the gig on Hig side of Hie road, and Avcnt into the garden and started to collect a supply of vegetables. One of the Chinamen noticed what avus going on, and armed Avith a pitchfork rushed across to save Ins vegetables. The intruders immediately made oft, and endeavoured to get array in the gig, but Hie Chinaman prevented this by Hirealcning them avlHi Hie pilchfork, as he desired to ascertain (heir identity, with a vlcav of court proceedings for theft. In Hie si niggle it is claimed that one of Hie men struck Hie Chinaman over the head Avitli some heavy object, indicting a nasty Avnund, and also Hint Hie Chinaman Avas struck by shines throAvn at him by Hie intruders, being,. rendered unconscious. Whilst (he struggle Avas proceeding another Chinaman came on the scene, jumped into the gig, and drove same along the road and into their yard, where the hbr.se was unharnessed and the harness locked inside a building. The two men proceeded to Hie Chinamen's yard to get possession of same, but found a Chinaman on guard, armed Avith a loaded gun, avlio kept them at bay and informed them that the police had been sent for, and they couldn’t got possession of the horse and gig until the police arrived.

It is understood that the tAvo men concerned admit being in the garden, and claim that they Avere attacked by the Chinaman Avith a pitchfork, and that the injuries sustained by (ho Chinaman Avere caused through his falling on Hie metal road during the struggle. The sequel will be heard at the next sittings of the Magistrate’s Court locally, when the two men, who are residents of the Glen Oroua district, will he called upon to answer charges of alleged theft and assault.