TROUBLE OVER GANDHI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 921, 14 March 1930, Page 1

TROUBLE OVER GANDHI

MIDNIGHT ASSAULT ON INDIAN FELLOW LODGER FINED “Don’t you worry about the niggers walking over the English in India,” is the remark George David Cargill was said to have made to an Indian in a ITobson Street boarding-house at midnight last night. Cargill made a further remark about Gandhi, the Indian nationalist leader, and then attacked the Indian. He was fined £2 at the Police Court this morning for assault. Cargill, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Amar Chand. Mr. Smyth appeared for him. Chand described himself as a greengrocer. He lived in Te Puke, but had come to town and was staying with his brother at the boarding-house. Accused had attacked him after making remarks about Gandhi and the Indian Government. Witness called the police. According to Constable Carson, Chand was bleeding from the eyes when he (the constable) arrived at the house. Accused had explained that the Indian had struck the first blow following a discussion about India. Both men were sober, but Cargill had been to a party, where he had had some beer and wine.

Mark Borich, called by the defence, said he was a boarding-house proprietor of 137 Hobson Street. The Indian and Cargill were both staying in his house. About midnight last night he had heard the Indian start to go upstairs. Cargill had made some remark about the niggers never walking over the English and the Indian appeared to go down again. When witness came out the two men were at grips. “The Indian’s conduct was consistent with that of an assaulted man as he went for the police,” commented Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., imposing the fine of £2 and ordering the payment of witnesses’ expenses, ss.