“HAPPY HOURS.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2349, 27 September 1880, Page 2

“HAPPY HOURS.”

Til i: 1: -\c 'lv 1 1 !■' Till-; L'U’TTKI-:. (Aur Auckland exchanges, supply us with a detailed account of an unrehearsed scene which has culminated iu (lie separation of 1 he genial and felicitous Mr and Airs 11 a rt,of “ happv hours" recollection, for a month at least, Mr Hart was prosecuted at the instance of John Russell a resilient of Auckland, lor knocking him down with a hot tic at mid-night on September IT. 1 he prosecutor deposed that ho was at tho Victoria Hotel at supper, by in | vitalion, when defendant used improper I language iu the presence of the ladies, * and just ns he was approaching the i>ar, ■ Mr Hart rushed at him and struck him violently on the head n ith a bottle, ( To defendant ; 1 did not strike \ou lirst, 1 objected to tour bad ian j yuajje. 1

Edward Swanson Hill, landlord o: the Victoria Hotel, deposed that a little after 12 o’clock, he was sitting in hu bar parlour, when heard a scream from a woman, who proved to be Mrs Hart. He told Hart that he could not allo.v such conduct in his house, and he would have to leave. He objected with an oath. He should not have taken things so easy, but was unwell. Mr Bussell then said lie would protect me. Hart then rushed at him and struck him with a full bottle of sherry, cutting his forehead (bottle produced). To defendant—Von were beating your wife. Edward Haygarth deposed to slaying at Mr Hill’s Hotel ; he was about retiring to bed," heard a loud screaming from Mrs Hart’s room, she came out screaming and fell into his arms. Knowing Hart’s jealous disposition,he escaped as soon as 'possible. He could not say that Mr Hart was sober. Defendant denied beating his wife ; ho was simply administering a little chastisement to his daughter. Constable McConneldeposed to being called into the hotel ; found Hart in an excited state, and Mr Bussel bleeding copiously from the forehead. Mr Basscl was sober. Mr Hart made a statement to the Court in which he vindicated his conduct, stating that Mr Haygarth had insulted his wife. Mr Hill also had provoked him in saying if he were a younger man he would give him a thrasiiing. Mr Bussell had been drinking, and pulled off his coat for the purpose of lighting. Both lost their tempers, and if lie bad done wrong he was willing to make an apology to Mr Bussel I. His Worship said he mast find defendant guilty. It was a very serious assault, and had it been brought as mi indictable case, he should certainly have committed him for trial, but as it was brought as an ordinary charge ho must fake one month’s imprisonment with bard labor.