AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9133, 30 April 1908, Page 5

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

A LATE MAYOR ON THE BENCH. Press Association. Palmerston N., April 30. The disorderly proceedings in the Square last night, when Mr Hoben, editor of the Mauawatu Times, was roughly handled by a crowd, were followed by a case in the S.M. Court this morniug when a large number of interested spectators were treated to unusual proceedings. By a unique coincideuce Mr R. Essex, the defeated candidate for the Mayoralty, whom Mr Hoben vigorously opjiosed, was the ouly presiding justice, when John Flowers was charged with having assaulted Mr Hoben.

The police, under the circumstances, applied for a remand, stating that Mr Essex was a more or less interested partv. Mr Essex replied that the matter was a petty one and declined to adjourn the case.

The police persisted and ttie application was reserved.

In the absence of a second justice who had been duly summoned bub failed to appear Mr Essex expressed the opinion that failing another justice being present the case should be dismissed especially as the care was not serious, but trivial. Ultimately yielding to earnest protestations on the part of the police Mr Essex decided to wait the arrival of justices, who had been hurriedly sent for and when they pub in appearance the case was preceded with.

Flowers denied knocking Mr Plobeu down intentionally, stating that the pushing and surging crowd was responsible for it. A line of 20s was inflicted.