A FIERCE FEUD.

NZ Truth, Issue 136, 25 January 1908, Page 5

A FIERCE FEUD.

ANDERSEN ON THE WARPATH. Norway and Sweden at it Again. Rude Remarks on a Racecourse. •Scandinavia pervaded Wellington Magistrate's Court to an unusual extent recently, when John Olaf Andersen, sometimes known as Oscar, was charged with assaulting Jacob Kiarlsen at Tauhernikau racecourse on New Year's Day. The affair seems to have arisen out of an old feud between Norway and Sweden, for four months back Andersen did 14 days' for drawing a knife on a person named Ellison, who is an intimate friend of Karlsen's. Andersen pleaded not guilty and Kiarlsen (who pronounced his Christian name as "Yakob") testified that he was talking to Ellison and a trainer named Banks on the course, When Andersen came up and remarked to Banks, "I didn't know you were talking to two bludgers." The Norse blood of Kiarlsen rose at the insult, and he retorted, "Wtoat are you, then?" Thereupon Andersen gave Karlsen . one on the point, and the battered person sought the protection ofthe police. ' Andersen ; Who is your friend 'Dili-, son ?— He works on the wharf. •Wjho is he living with— what woman ?— I don't know. You must know if he is a particular friend of yours ? Magistrate Riddell : There is no need to answer that question. He has a lot of dealings with you ? His Worship : You need not answer that. You fbuy stores ancl goods from him? ft-lis Worship : There is no need to answer that. Have you and Ellison on several occasions CALLED ME A GAOL-BIRD ?— —We have got reason to. •Who do you live with ?— !A tinsmith. What woman do you live with ? Mr Dix, for the prosecution, protested against this 'question. . "He has no right to make such a statement," said counsel. •; Andersen: He spoke about a bludger. Counsel : He said that you made the statement to Banks. ■Andersen : He called me a gaol-bird. His Worship : There is no evidence to that effect. ' Andersen : He has done it on scores of occasions. He has sung it out m the streets after me. His Worship : If you have witnesses you can call them. lA'ndersen : I want to show ihe Court what low characters .they have. His Worship : You may ask the question. Andersen : How is Ellison living ? — :I don't know. Do you know thc woman he is walking out with nov/ ? — Yes. Do you know Mary Anderson ?— No. Do you know- the woman he chucked put of the house ?— No. Mr Dix here objected to this matter as being irrelevant. John Banks, the horse-trainer already mentioned, gave corroborative evidence. Andersen : Did I call him a bludger? — Banks repeated the evidence already given. - - Didn't I say they were bad characters, and advised you to have nothing to do with them ?— You did say something to that effect. 'Mathias Ellison stated that the remark about biudgcrs seemed to be addressed to the three of them. You are a great friend of, his ?— No. What woman arc you living with ? —I am living with no woman. Thc Bench held this to be irrelevant. ■Andersen : They are always out together., Did, you (to witness) ever call me a gaol-bird ?— jNot that I am aware of. , , .: _ ff v Did you over call me a gapßrird m the middle of Manners-street ?— Not that I am aware of. gO) Did you call me a gaol-bird on any occasion ?— Not that I am aware of. You must have a short memory ? Mir Dix : You have got his answer . Have you got a short memory ? — (Silence). •His. Worship i You must answer the question. Witness said he didn't think lie had a bad memory. Did you have any dealings with Kjarlsen ? His Worship : You needn't answer that. "" Witness (to accused) : YOU SHOULDN'T ASK SILLY QUESTIONS. His Worship (sternly) : Don't answer m that way. The indomitable accused, who is a mian of powerful physique, with the jaw of a pugilist, gave evidence on his own behalf, and stated that he was m the company of Banks for half an- hour on Tauherenikau racecourse. The excitable Swede .didn't mention if, he got any tip from Banks. W,heh next he saw the horse^tr&iner he was talking to It/arisen and Ellison (whose real name was Henry Johnsen). He tapped Banks on the shoulder and asked him if he knew he was with two bad characters. Thereupon Karlsen remarked, "What are you but a- b- — gaol-bird?" Andersen then pushed Karlsen away, but didn't strike him. Next day, when Andersen was m the train, Karlsen again insulted him by saying, "I'll give it to you, you b b !" Mr Dix questioned Andersen as to character. Witness said he had been twice before the Wellington Court for assault through the same men, but he absolutely denied being charged with assault at Wanganui. He was advised by counsel and the Bench to be careful, as the Court records do not lie. He had been before the Greymouth Court, but didn't remember what for. ' Two other . powerful subjects of King Oscar named Henry Rathe and Walter Johnson testified that Karlsen had insulted Andersen m front of an hotel by saying : "What do you think of this gaol-bird annoying me m the street ?" His Wotsliip considered the charge of assault proved and imposed a fine Of 40s, with solicitor's fee £1 ls, iv default seven days' gaol. Andersen presented v fhvi lo the clerk, and asked for his change.