HOP GARDEN A VERITIES.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 166, 24 March 1903, Page 3

HOP GARDEN A VERITIES.

At the monthly sitting of the Sti- • pendary Magistrate’s Court, held yes- | terday afternoon, before Mr Wilson Heaps, Edward Eggers, of Upper Moutere, was charged with having, on Hie 18th instant, assaulted Cecil R. Talbot, on two occasions. Complainant also asked that Eggers should be [ bound over to keep the peace. Mr Johansen appeared for Talbot and Mr Harley for the defendant. Mr Johansen having briefly explained the case, called the complainant. Cecil Talbot, who stated that he had been engaged, together with his wife and mother in law, hop picking in the garden by Mr Ted Eggers. The defendant was also on the ground in the afternoon. Complainant, with his mother in law, Mts Hartwig, remained on the ground after the others had left and when finishing Eggers came up and collared him by the throat, asserting at the same time that he had insulted his [Eggers’] wife. He was thrown to the ground and upon getting up said to Eggers that he would have to pay 7 for what he had done. Defer - dant thereupon threw off his coat caught him by the throat, tore his shirt down the front and pushed him on the ground. Upon getting up Eggers wanted to apologise, which he agreed to accept if he paid the price of a shirt for him. Defendant again endeavored to get at him, but he dodged him round the bin. His mother in Taw tried to keep Eggers away from him. Cot home about a quarter to eight the same evening.

Cross examined by Mr Johansen r Had recently- been ill from nervous debility and.Eggers was aware of it. Had no falling out with Defendant before Cross Examined by Mr Harley : Had beeu good friends with Eggera until that day. Did not say that Mrs Eggers was an ignorant German and that she was talking about him behind his back. Did not grapple with defendant nor put up my- hands to fight him. ihere were only three present. Mrs Hartwig corroborated complainants version of the affair.

Edward Eggers, the defendant, said he was annoyed about what Talbot had said to his wife returned to the field to demand an apology. Talbot and Mrs Hartwig were at the bin picking hops and he thereupon asked ior an apology. Talbot said he would get no apology from him. Both then grappled with each other and Talbot went down. Mrs Hartwig did a lot of talking end Talbot got behind her. Ihought ho tore complainant’s shirt *0 blood was drawn. Had been on good terms with Talbot.

Cross examined by Mr Johansen - Was not m a rage but much annoyed when he heai-d from his wife of the insult. The words were spoken about two o clock and his wife to him wnen going home between five and six. Was not aware that Talbot had strained his back.

Theodore Eggers deposod to hearing words pass between Talbot and Mra Eggers. The latter had been speaking m German to her sister when Talbott said that it was like her ignorance to talk about him behind his back and that there was “too blooming much of It,

- 1 ” judgment His Worship said the-e was no doubt an unjustifiable assault was committed but not serious enough to have the defendant bound over to keep the peace. The assault was committed with little provocation and he would fine the defenan<* co ffcs solicitor’s fee of lu Sev " e ” shfHings and sixpence of the tine to be paid to complainant for damage to shirt.

c ° nsistenc y is the bugbear or little minds.