MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 26 January 1938, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT. The story of an unprovoked attack on a young cotiplo while sitting on the running board of a stationary car in McArthur Street, Tedding, . on New Year’s Eve, by two young men was unfolded in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Bernard John Matson, labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on December 31. 1937, and was fined £5. Donald Ernest Lamberton, a labourer, also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on the same date and was fined £B.

Sergeant Turner, in outlining the case, said that Albert M. Prendergast, and a young woman, had been visiting the town and had decided to see the

New Year in. Whilst sitting and talking two men, who had been drinking, but were not drunk, came along, and Matson, one of the men had said: “I’ll show you how to kiss the girl. “Prendergast had pushed him away and told him not to make a fool of himself. The young woman had evaded Matson’s attempt to put his arm around her and had walked away. Matson forthwith turned his attention to Prendergast and struck a blow which Prendergast returned,. and knocked his assailant down. Matson came again and was dealt with by Prendergast in a similar manner. At this stage Lamberton joined in and struck Prendergast, who threatened to call the police, whereupon the men disappeared. Later, Prendergast, who suffered several injuries, laid his complaint. The Magistrate, in convicting hintson and Lamberton. said that- the Court could not possibly, by any stretch of imagination, approve of the conduct of Matron in approaching a young man .sitting inoffensively with his youdg lady and acting in the manner be did.

“This sort of thin" has got to he stopped,” added the Magistrate. Lamberton would escape imprisonment only because of the fact that he was not the instigator, but had only supported Matson in bis effort to deal with Prendergast. anti also because the offence occurred on New Year’s Eve. Matson was charged with assaulting his young lady and acting in the manassaulting Prendergast. morning at 9 o’clock the rending was 68 degrees. Mr Mason stated that the barometer on Monday was rising rapidly and he considered that there would nut bo much more rain at present. DEFENDED ACTION. / CLAIM FOB. WAGES. In a deferdod «•!’■'! "" i: m. Peter

M aller, a farmhand, of Onepuhi, claimed from Patrick Burns, a barman, of Halcombe, tho sum of £42 7s alleged to bo due to him in respect of wages while he was working on defendant’s farm. Mr J. Graham appeared for plaintiff and Mr D. C. Cullinane for defendant. After hearing lengthy evidence, the Magistrate gave judgment for plaintiff for £() 7s and allowed Court costs and solicitors’ fees amounting to £2 Bs.