CHRISTCHURCH.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 40, 7 March 1877, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

March 1. A most brutal and cowardly assault was made on Mr Ponkin, Assistant Railway Engineer, while that gentleman, m company with a friend arid Charlgggod, of the English Eleven, were on ttteir way to the Theatre Royal. The assailant was Pooley, one of the English cricketers. It appears that on Saturday last Pooley, who stopped at the same hotel as that gentleman, said he would • take odds of 6 to 1 that he (Pooley) . would name the scores for the Canterbury Eighteen. Mr Donkin toe*" him up, thinking that the bet was a perfectly bond fide one, and that Pooley would place the exact number of runs to each man. It afterwards turned out that this was a " catch " bet, Pooley'boasting that he "had" Donkin by placing a duck's egg to each man. Hearing this, Mr Donkin was heard by many to declare off, before and after the match began. Last night Mr Pooley met Mr Donkin m the smoking-room and demanded £36. The latter refused to pay, when Charlsvood (who knew Mr Donkin's relations at Home) took that gentleman away, as his friend ; and it was while on their way to the theatre that the assault was made. Unaware of his approach, Pooley caught hold of Donkin, and, before anybody had time to collect their senses, struck him three times violently m the face. Being thrown down, Pooley jumped on him and continued striking until he was pulled away. Threats being held out Mr Donkin, by the advice of his friends, slept for the night m another house. This was not the last of it. The room at his usual pluce of abode was forcibly entered and every particle of Mr Donkin's wearing apparel torn to shreds, and some important plans partially destroyed. The public indignation at the outrage is intense. The law has been set m motion, and it is not unlikely that one, if not more, of the English, cricketei's will pay another unexpected visit to Canterbury. March 2. This morning warrants were issued aganst Edward Pooley, belonging to the English team, for a violent assault and wilful destruction of property, and also against Bromhall for the latter offence. They will be arrested m Dunedin. The General Government have granted the request of the City Council for an endowment of 2000 acres of hind for city purposes. Tuesday. At a meeting of the Licensing Commissioners to-day it was decided on the question of extra licenses for public house bars where more than, one exists m the same house, that all publicans should obtain licenses for every bar more than one on their premises. One publican under this rule will have to pay for three extra bars. Mrs Scott Siddons is having a successful run at the Theatre RoyaLp^