ONEWHERO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 435, 17 December 1918, Page 2

ONEWHERO.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR INSULTED. At the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court last Thursday, before Mr F. K. Hunt, SM., Robert McKibben, of Onewhero, was charged with having used insulting and abusive language, on October 17th, in a public place, to wit Onewhero road. Defendant, who was represented by Mr J. G. Haddow, pleaded not guilty. Evidence in support of the prosecution was tendered by Mr Samuel Henry Crawford, the Onewhero riding representative on the Raglan County Council, who stated that on the morning of the day in question he was proceeding on his way tc show a man named Aislabie (who was employed by the Council) where to commence work. He met the defendant, who was driving some cattle along the road, and defendant said to him " What did you want to write that letter to the Military Service Board about me for ? You liar; you old rogue. Witness rebuked defendant for his strong language, whereupon defendant swore at him again, and said that only for being an old man, he (defendant) would " fix" him (witness.) Cross-examined by Mr Haddow : He did not tell the Military Appeal Court that there were four of a family, none of whom were represented at the front. He made to the Board what he thought to be a true statement, and acted within his rights. He (witness) did not use any bad language, although defendant was abusing him abominably. Mr Crawford added that defendant also called him a " low cowardly old rogue, and a lying old ." Evidence was also given by Cyril Aislabie, an employee of the Raglan County Council. He stated that he heard a heated argument over some letters sent to the Military Board. Defendant called Mr Crawford a liar and something else was said, but he was not sure what it was. Defendant, giving evidence, denied using the language complained of. Mr Crawford, he said, had called him a '' dirty pig." and he retaliated by calling him a " dirty blooming liar.' His Worship said he was satisfied that Mr Crawford would not deliberately concoct a story as disclosed. As the spot was not a very public place, however, he would only impose a nominal fine of 1 0$, together with costs amounting to £1 "s.

Miss Malie Bark, who was a pupil at the Onewhero school until just over a year ago, has ju3t won the gold medal as " dux " of the Gisborne North school, being first in a school of 470 children. The Onewhero school libel action, Glasgow v. Keyes, was once again called at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court last Thursday but to suit the convenience of Mr Ostler (counsel for defendant), who was engaged in a criminal case in the Auckland Supreme Court, the hearing was further adjourned until Thursday, January 16th. It was mentioned, however, that there was a probability of the action being in the meantime transferred to the Supreme Court.