“LIKE A MADMAN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 May 1927, Page 12

“LIKE A MADMAN”

ROW AT PAPAKURA RIOTOUS BEHAVIOUR (From Our Own Correspondent .) PAPAKURA, To-day. “The accused was rushing about like a madman. He burst open a gate, flung oft his coat, charged at a hedge in a manner similar to a bull, and dashed a bicycle to the ground,” so stated a witness in a case heard at yesterday’s sitting of the Papakura Magistrate’s Court before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. Athol Wilks, whom the magistrate considered the aggressor, was fined £2 for having behaved in a riotous and threatening manner in Settlement Road, Papakura, on April 2. As the story became unfolded, it was gleaned that Mrs. C. A. Bates, jun., had a lawyer’s letter sent to the accused’s mother per medium of her solicitor, and Wilks called upon Bates for an explanation.

A man, said to be a stranger, knocked at the front door of the complainant’s residence, and invited Bates out to see someone in a motor-car parked on the road. When it was ascertained that Wilks was the man Bates made inside with the accused close on his heels. The offender then adopted pugilistic activities, and throwing off his coat made a wild rush after Bates. Having obtained a horsewhip Mrs. Bates, jun., threatened accused, who in reply used objectionable language. Corroborative evidence was given by Bates and his mother. For the defence it was alleged that his actions had been the result of Bates calling him an uncomplimentary name. Wilks being out of employment was allowed one month in which to pay.