HORSEWHIPPED CLERGY MAN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9133, 30 April 1908, Page 7

HORSEWHIPPED CLERGY MAN.

AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER. A sensation was caused at Busseltou last night (says a Perth telegram of April Bth in the Ago), when a middle-aged man named Pollitt arrived by the Perth train armed with a stockwhip. He announced publicly that his purpose in going to Busselton was to horsewhip the Revolt. S. Needham, rector of St. Mary’s Anglican Church. He stated that the clergyman had brutally wronged his sister, and nothing less than a public castigation before the parishioners would meet t!m case. Going to the rectory grounds he encountered Mr Needham, and without a word of explanation began to belabor him with a whip. After a couple of strokes the clergyman closed with his assailant, and they wrestled together some moments, eventually falling to the ground locked in each other’s arms. The struggle was continued for a while, when they separated, the whip having become broken in the fight. Pollitt then proceeded to abuse the minister, and was not fastidious in the use of choice epithets. :. r Mr Needham left the rectory, and proceeded to a neighbouring store, where his friends prevented his further molestation, although Pollitt was heard inviting him to ‘‘come out for more. ”

When seen subsequently, Mr Needham said that lie was at a loss to understand the actions of the man. It was true that he was engaged to Pollitb’s sister, and the ceremony had been fixed by her people to take place about the end of this month. Matters had not, however, proceeded as was expected, and after a full and frank discussion between himself and the lady, it was mutually agreed that the engagement should be broken off. As far as the lady was concerned there had been no reproach ; in fact, be had her letters, in which it was stated that he had taken a manly course, and she honored him for it. It was unfortunate that the brother had taken it upon himself to interfere, but now that the matter had received publicity, lie would welcome a full investigation. It is undertsood that Pollitt’s grievance is that be considers his sister was “jilted” by Mr Needham within a very short period of the date for the marriage ceremony.