POLICE COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2404, 14 March 1922, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

ALLEGED ARSON AND THEFT. At the Police Court yesterday morning, George Victor Dunn appeared before Air J. K. Hornblow, J.P., on charges of breaking and enteiing a store at the Manawatu Heads, owned by M. E. Perreau, and wilfully setting fire to same, on or about March sth.

Mr Ongley appeared for accused, and consented to a further remand to thc.2oth inst. Bail as previously, self in £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each, was forthcoming.

ASSAULT. FINE OF £5 INFLICTED. Bertram Spelman was charged before Messrs J. K. Hornblow and M. E. Perreau, J’s.P., with assaulting Charles McArtney, outside Whyte’s Hotel, on Saturday last. Accused pleaded not guilty. Constable Owen, in outlining the case, said that a little after six o’clock on Saturday evening last Constable O’Donoglme, who was then on duty in Main Street, smv several men outside \\ byte’s Hotel, in Whyte Street. He saw one man, accused, strike McArtney a blow, which knocked him down. McArtney had to he picked up by two men and carried home. Constable <4 Donogliue took charge of defendant. Charles McArtney, baker, residing at Eoxton, said that he did not remember anything of the assault. He was drunk at the time, and could not say if lie was in accused’s company. He would nof deny that be had been assaulted by accused.

Darcy Ball, hairdresser, said that at a little after six o’clock on Saturday evening he was talking to Constable O’Donoghtic on the opposite side of the road to Whyte Street. They saw some men talking outside the hotel. He saw accused knock McArtney down. Constable O'Donoghue then went over and arrested Speltnan. McArtney appeared “pretty well full" al the time. Constable O’Donoglme <aid that at 6.10 p.m. on Saturday evening lie was on duty in Main Street when he saw a crowd of men outside Whyte's Hotel in Whyte Street. He sa'w accused, who was talking to McAriney, strike McArtney a blow and knock him out. McArtney was still “out” when he arrived there. He knew defendant well, and there was no mistaking his identity. McArtney never struck accused. Bertram Spelman said that lie was in McArtney’s company on Saturday, at a little after six o’clock. They wore talking outside 1 the hotel about a packet of eiga rotes, and lie gave him a push, and plaintiff fell down, and lay there for a whilg. Constable Owen said that accused bad previously been convicted for assault, and was very free with bis bands when drinking. Asked why lie went to see MoArt ney on Sunday, after lie had been released on bail, accused said be had heard that lie had hurt him, and went In see how lie was. He did not see him.

The Bench said that Spelman appeared to lie. very cantankerous when under the influence of liquor. He had been fined previously for similar offences. The foci of “pushing” did not affect the charge in any way; A threatening attitude was sufficient grounds for action. These were the acts that often lead to more serious charges. Accused was convicted and fined £5, in default 14 days imprisonment.