Assault Case.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 121, 17 April 1884, Page 2

Assault Case.

A painful case was heard at theR.M. Court at Bulls last week. James Harris, farmer, of Sandon, appearel m answer to a summons issued against him by his wife, charging him with having committed on the 30th March a common assault upon her by striking her m the face with his clenched fist. Defendant said he was suffering at the time acute pain, and his wife made him full of misery. About dinner time he asked for a cup of tea. She made a reply which aggravated him, and he told her to got out of his sight. Then- «he up with a chair and (lung at him, and lie; caught her by the hair of the head, and 'gave it to her as hard as he could.' Mr Maclean said defendant's version of the assault did not agree with the instructions he had received-' from- Mrs Harris. According to her statement; the assault was committed at the time she was washing up the uishe.s. Defendant said to her, " Get out of my sight ; I hate you." Complainant replied, "I will not unless you put me out." Defendant then struck her four or five blows m the face. The daughters interfered and a chair was thrown, when defendant again assaulted her. She then went into the parlor, and he followed and struck her again. There were three distinct assaults. His Worship was very sorry to hear of the matter ac all. Mr Harris u-as a farmer, tin old resident m the district, ' and generally respected. The position of the parties made it all the more painful. He thought from the statements which had been made that there was no extenuating circumstances, but that an aggravated and unmanly assault had been committed by defendant on his wile. He felt that he could not impose less than the full penalty, viz., £10.