DESCENDED LIKE WOLF ON THE FOLD!

NZ Truth, Issue 1188, 6 September 1928, Page 5

DESCENDED LIKE WOLF ON THE FOLD!

BUT it came to pass that the sheep did wander from the fold and great was the consternation. Just that — an. almost silent ma-a-a-ing and a short pilgrimage from one paddock to another inquest of the succulent clover — and it led to the real Heeney- Tunney stuff. There were only three sheep m this pastoral tragedy, . but, . strong m the gospel of. safety m numbers, Frederick William Rassmussen enlisted helpers m his. enterprise— in ■ fact, the whole Rassmussen family gathered for the mustering. ' ' As early 'as 7.15. -sum., on a winter's morning they fared forth into the field like the pastoral tribes of old. But thereby hangs more than a sheep's tale. The ancestral domain of Frederick William Rassmussen, ,on Boundary Road, P.N., perchance abutted upon the estate of Isobel Conquest, living alone with her two daughters, Gwen and Eileen. The Conquests, it appears, were pastoralists, but only m a small way. In peace and tjuiet they kept the even tenor of their way, grazing a few cows and a dozen sheep. But the love of sheep for wandering from the fold is almost proverbial. In their search for pastures new the flocks and herds of Mrs. Conquest allegedly so far forgot 'the laws of common politeness as to trespass, and found a new resting-place upon the pastures of Rassmussen. . In ' vain, alleged the incensed William Frederick, when before the court

HE WAS A SHEEP -TAMER

Pastoral Scene With Sprinkling Of Real Fireworks

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North Representative.) // may be 'that .'he sheep were primarily to blame. At all events, they showed ■ most docile inattentioeness to rural traffic regulations and neighborly etiquette, — : — : __ __ : — » : s _^_ — :

ceived foul intent. . Whereupon, rallying her daughters to the flag, Mrs. Conquest sallied forth to protect her flocks and herds. ' ' But .William Frederick,, strong m support of his wife and family, played the man. He showed very, plainly and m no measured terms that only over his prostrate body should the. Conquest flocks return to their domains. Mrs. Conquest, from afar, sent her dog to the task of retrieving her straying sheep. Whereupon, according to the evidence, Rassmussen. instructed his son to procure a gun and shoot the faithful hound. ' , . v / ""•"'« The lady replied 'by leading her forces to the attack, the two parties mixing it with ho little vim. » But William Frederick was the hero of the day. Like Alexander, astride Bucephalus, he straddled the ram lamb, brandishing his , stick ;on high. With 0 his own hand, he knocked down Mrs. Conquest, an elderly woman, who was evidently so impressed bjr his courage that she never laid hands upon him. i ■ Encouraging his forces with what was described as "most filthy language,'' IUI

and ably backed by his spouse and offspring, he allegedly succeeded m knocking Mrs. Conquest over again and kicking one of her daughters. Surely a hero' of heroes, this William Frederick Rassmussen, standing at least six feet m his socks? According to the evidence, a regular Donnybrook must, have , taken place m that before-break-fast battle. Rassmussen, it was stated, behaved with the most disgusting brutality towards three women who believed that they were only defending their rights. The whole affair culminated m court, when Magistrate J. L. Stout listened to a petition from Isobel Conquest, of Wood Street, - Palmerston North, praying that William Frederick, Rassmussen be bound over to keep the peace towards His. Majesty's liege subjects, arid herself m particular. Lawyer Cooper looked after the'interests, of Mrs. Conquest and Lawyer. Oram defended Rassmussen. The proceedings occupied most of the morning. The evidence of Isobel Conquest, owner pf the sheep; was to the effect

that she had had some trouble with her neighbor, Rassmussen, prior to May 2. On that occasion he had impounded some sheep of hers, which had strayed on to his property. He had stopped her on the road one day and informed her of this fact, when he had used tlie "most filthy language" -towards.. her. Lawyer Cooper: What did he say? Witness: Oh, I could not repeat it. Every word imaginable. I have never been sworn at m my life before. Lawyer Cooper: Are you afraid of Rassmussen, Mrs. Conquest? Yes, very afraid of him. He is a most dangerous man. His. eyes were sticking out of his head while this was going on; you could have knocked them off with a stick. Plaintiff called several witnesses to support her story, after which Lawyer Oram informed the court that so far as Rassmussen was concerned, the offences alleged were more flights-of fancy than narrated facts and the whole trouble had arisen through Mrs. Conquest's failure to keep her sheep off Rassmussen's property. • Frederick' William Rassmussen said that for some time Mrs. Conquest's sheep had been trespassing on his property three or four times a month. He had remonstrated by telephone prior to May 2; he had got m touch with the county authorities and impounded sheep. He absolutely denied that he had used the words complained of. • . • r . ■ .