ASSAULT IN HOTEL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 371, 4 November 1932, Page 5

ASSAULT IN HOTEL

(Press Assn.—

CHARGE AGAINST CIVIL ENGINEER IS DISMISSED ECHO OP HAMILTON CASE

By Telegraph — Copyrlght)

Auckland, Thursday. The Magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, to-day dismissed all charges brought by the police against Reginald Lessel Pearless (47), civil engineer. Hewas charged that, with intent to do grievous harm, he did actual bodily harm to Ralph Josling Arnold, salesman, who died in the Auckland Hospital on October 18. The Magistrate, in his verdict as coroner, said Arnold appeared to have brought it on himself. Lengthy evidence was given, including that of accused, who said that on October 15, his wife went from Hamilton to Auckland to attend the Avondale races. When she did not return at the time expected, and knowing she was addicted to drink, he went to Auckland. On arriving at her room in an hotel he found Arnold, whom he did not know, standing outside the door and was told that Arnold had been in the room with his wife. She had had liquor and was hysterical. Arnold was still hanging about, and he caught Arnold by the scruff of the neck and ran him along the corridor. When he let Arnold go Arnold shaped up to him, and accused then struck him. Some bystanders said, "You haven't given. him half what he deserves." He hit him again. Some days later he saw in the new'spapers that a man named Arnold had died in Auckland. He p.romptly communicated with the police. The Magistrate said the injury to Arnold's head would not have been serious had Arnold not been drinking for two days previously.