JURY QUICKLY ACQUITS MAN IN STABBING CASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 9

JURY QUICKLY ACQUITS MAN IN STABBING CASE

DUNEDIN TRIAL

FRACAS ON A WHARF Press Association DUNEDIN, Thursday. After being absent only ten minute*-, the jury acquitted Arnold Hinds, a. coloured member of t*he crew of the steamer Bloemfontein, of a charge of attempted murder. The charge related to an incident on the wharf, in which a taxi-driver, Norman Maitland Childs, was wounded by a knife being plunged into his chest. Mr. A. C. Hanlon appeared for the accused. Dr. Ernest Edward Butler said Childs was admitted to hospital at 10.15 p.m. on January 14. He was in a shocked condition, and had an incised wound about two inches long on the left side of his chest. The wound had penetrated the lung. Detective Robert Lean gave evidence of the arrest of accused on January 15. Inquiries were made on the Bloemfontein and Maimoa, and Into incidents in the cabin of the Maimoa from Dinky-Dl. His Honour: That seems to be authoritative. (Laughter.) Accused said he came from the Barbadoes. Ho did not have a knife in his possession. He was not allowed to carry a knife, as steel affected the magnet of the compass. He had never been ashore until he was taken off the vessel by the police. He went about four steps down the gangway in putting Childs off the ship. William Robert Cherry, second officer, said he saw Hinds at the top of the gangway, and Childs running across the wharf. Childs came round the corner and lay down on the wharf. Witness thought it was a ruse to get the men on the ship to go on to the wharf. The jury after a retirement of 10 minutes returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was discharged.