A GIRL, A YOUTH AND A BLACK EYE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 53, 25 May 1927, Page 9

A GIRL, A YOUTH AND A BLACK EYE

A JEALOUS MAN FINDS A RIVAL WITH HIS GIRL (From Our Own Correspondent.') HAMILTON, To-day. “I’d have thought more of defendant had he asked the other man to put his hands up and make a fair fight for the lady, the best man to receive her.” commented Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at the Hamilton Court this morning, when Edward Raymond Blackwell was charged with assaulting Charles James Mack. The police stated that complainant, accompanied by a young lady, attended a dance at Frankton and was standing under a verandah at Hamilton East, talking to her, when defendant came up and shone a torch in tis face, and while he was temporarily blinded hit Mack severely in the eye, rendering his unconscious. The young lady concerned pleaded with defendant to take the injured man home, and he got a car and did so. The blow which Mack received was a severe one, as it paralysed part of his face and confined him to bed for some days. In extenuation of the offence, to which the defendant pleaded guilty, Mr. W. King stated that Blackwell found Mack speaking very confidentially to the young lady whom he held in high regard, and in a fit of uncontrollable rage struck him, but immediately afterwards realised his discreditable action and did his best to help Mack. He made amends later, going round to him and apologising. Defendant had paid Mack £ls for loss of work and medical expenses. He was incensed at finding Mack in the circumstances he did with the young whom he held in affectionate esteem, and being-a youth was impetuous.

His Worship: What is defendant’s age? Counsel—23. His Worship: He’s old enough to know better.

Full restitution has been made by defendant for the offence, stated Mr. King, and the person assaulted did his best to persuade the police to withdraw the information. He suggested that under the circumstances the case should be dismissed. The assaulted man. Mack, was called upon to disclose his highlydiscoloured eye to the magistrate, who imposed a fine of 20s.