EX-MANAKAU RESIDENT ASSAULTED.

Shannon News, 31 March 1925, Page 4

EX-MANAKAU RESIDENT ASSAULTED.

CHARGE 07 ASSAULT.

(From the Dannevirke Nows.) An assault which occurred at the Dannevirke races was investigated in tiie Court before Messrs \V. Rose and A. Mackie, J.'sP., when Feanimore Hamilton Cooper, builder, of Dannevirke was charged with having assaulted James Southey Fowler, by striking- him in the fac-e with Ms fist, and with being drunk in a public place.

Mr. E. Gibbord appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Harvey conducted the prosecution for the police. He called complainant. Fowler, who, in giving evidence of the assault, said he was supervisor for the gates; for the Dannevirke Racing Club. While relieving one of the men on the lawn gate accused came along with another man, walked up to Mm and put 2s 6d in his hand and attempted to walk in. Witness threw the 2s 6d on the ground and asked accused what he meant by it. He then made some explanation about a ticket, fumbled in his inside pocket, and then said he had mislaid it. Witness said he told the accused that he had struck the wrong man for that sort of thing, and then Cooper became abusive. He then went to try and get in at another gate and witness followed Mm to warn the employee on the gate there. Accused then walked towards him and struck him. “I am 65 years old and retaliated as well as I know how,” said witness.

The Bench: You were good enough for him even then. Witness said he did not think accused was drunk, but he seemed to be under the influence of liquor. If he had been sober he probably would not have done it. When accused was taken to the office of the club he became very abusive and threatened witmess repeatedly. He was eventually put off the course.

To the Senior-Sergeant: The charge for admission to the saddling paddock was 10s, and I presume he offered me the 2s 6d for himself and the man he was with.

Mr. Gibbard: Did accused explain to you at the time the best way he could that he had got a ticket and appeared to have lost it?—He said he had mislaid it. clf he had had a ticket he would have had no difficulty in getting in. He offered me the 2s 6d before he said anything about a ticket. He. put the 2s 6d into my hand and wh£n I said he had struck the wrong man he said he had a ticket but could not find it.

Witness, explaining why he had followed up Cooper, said he suspected that there was something wrong and ’went to warn Ms other man about Cooper going into the course. Witness was supervisor for the Club and there was not the slightest doubt thajtj the club had suffered considerably in the past. Witness did not actually follow accused, but went to warn the other gatekeeper. Mr. Gibbard: That's the point. Accused thought you were following him. Witness: Accused came up to me and called me a ”B liar.” That's a thing no Britisher can stand. Senior-Sergeant Harvey stated that after the fast occurrence accused went to the outside gate and got in. Later on the polico had to go and eject him from there, and eventually arrested him for dmukenness. Accused was a local —a carpenter by occupation, and nad teen before the Comt a number of times for using threatening behaviour.

Mr. Gibbard said accused had been indulging a bit too much in drink. When he approached the gatekeeper he really thought he had his ticket, and a bit of an argument followed.

The Bench: Has he found the ticket yet? Senior-Sergeant Harvey said there was no ticket amongst accused's effects when searched.

Accused said he had bought a ticket but never used it. Mr. Gibbard asked that accused be leniently dealt with, as he had been arrested and detained for the night, which was severe punishment in itself. The Bench said the assault was a serious offence, but they would deal leniently with accused on this occasion, and fine him £3 and costs £2 17s. Accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of drunkenness and was given seven days to pay the fine, in default 14 days' imprisonment.

1 Riff horsemen, whose achievements in the war with Spain are frequently referred to in the newspapers, are the most daring riders in the world. When in full gallop they will throw their swords and matchlocks in the air and catch them by the hilts or stock without drawing rein. Not long ago a war correspondent declared that he had seen a Riff rider thread a needle held by another rider, whilp- riding full tilt across the sand! Cossacks are fond of performing similar feats. One of their favourite tricks at gymkhanas is to snatch a child from its mother's arms, throw it in the air, catch it> and return it unharmed to its parent.

“Hail Season of Mists and Maladies.”—Anon. The approach of the cold days makes necessary the need (or protection against chills and influenza. A bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver is your best health insurance against all such chest, throat, and lung troubles. “Baxter’s” is rich, warming, penetrative, dependable. A grand tonic too. Generous-sized bottle 2/6; family size 4/6. At all chemists and stores. But be sure you get “Baxter’s”!