ALLEGED GOWARDLY ASSAULT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 596, 4 January 1921, Page 2

ALLEGED GOWARDLY ASSAULT.

NEW YEAR'S DAY INCIDENT.

About 7 p.m. on Now Year's Day, when a number of people were returning from the Mauku Sports, the cries of several children from a dwelling-house near the Belmont estate, just past the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company's butter factory, on the Pukekohe-Waiuku road, attracted their attention. From what iifrbrmation that could be gathered, it appears that Mrs Annie Cecilia Barry, wife of Daniel Edmund Barry, had been cowardly assu'alted by being struck on the head with a piece of wood. The police were communicated with, and proceeded to the scone, accompanied by Dr. Wake. Upon examination it was found that Mrs Barry was suffering from a severe wound on the top of the head. By this time, Daniel Barry had stowed.himself away, and it was not until six o'clock on Sunday morning that the police were able to locale and arrest him.

Barry was brought before Mr Hy. Wilcox, J.P., at a sitting of the Police Court yesterday, and was charged that on Ist January, 1921, at Pukekohe, he assaulted his wife by striking her on the head with a piece of wood, so as to cause her actual bodily harm. Sergfc. Cowan asked that accused be remanded to appear at Auckland on Monday next. He stated that it was alleged that Barry went home on Saturday under the influence of liquor, and while milking was in progress an argument arose. While Mrs Barry was getting up after milking a cow, it is alleged that accused struck heron the head with a piece of wood (which could not be found), inflicting a severe scalp wound. The Sergt. added that Mrs Barry lost a considerable quantity of blood. It took him an hour washing -the blood from her hair, and the doctor a considerable time dressing and stitching the wound, Accused asked for bail, but his application- was refused. During the discussion regarding bail, accused said he could arrange for bail and could stay at a local boarding-house awaiting his trial. He also wanted to get out to fix up things and pay some bills.

Sergt. Cowan : The payment o. your bills is a secondary consideration.

The Bench : If you got put you would have to pay your board, whereas if you went to Auckland you would get free board and lodgings. You can make a fresh application when you come before the Auckland Court.