AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 October 1917, Page 5

AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

REV. HOWARD ELLIOTT HORSEWHIPPED. RETURNED SOLDIER'S ACTION. TO VINDICATE DEAD SISTER'S HONOUR. AUCKLAND, October 15. To be horse-whipped in front of his own gate by a returned soldier was the experience this evening of the Rev. Howard Elliott, national lecturer to the Protestant Political Association. The sequel Avas the arrest of Gunner Christopher Charles Clement, of Remuera, and his brother-in-law, Herbert Eugene McEntee, also of Remuera, both of whom were charged with assault. Gunner Clements is a brother of a Nun who was drowned about a year ago at Tauniurunui and as to the circumstances of whose death, the Rev. Elliott has made public references. Gunner Clements, who is 21, was gassed and wounded at the Battle of Messines and returned to Auckland three weeks ago with other invalided soldiers. Two hours after their arrest the two men (Gunner Clements wearing his artilleryman 's uniform) were released on bail of £25 each. In a statement made to a "Herald" representative, Clements said that on his return from the front, he was in--1 formed that certain statt||ients about his late sister had been made by the Rev. Elliott. "As I was advised that I had no legal remedy," he continued, "I decided that I would thrash Elliott at the first opportunity. That opportunity did not arrive until tonight.- Accompanied by my brother-in-law, and armed with a raw-hide horsewhip, I ;w!'ent to EUitot's thouse at Mount Eden. Arriving about half-past; seven, I stopped outside. In, a few minutes, Elliott and a lady—his wife, I think—pame out of the house. He was Wearing an overcoat. As the (former approached the door of the: taxi I accosted him asking him if he was Howard Elliott. He replied in the affirmative. I thereupon said: "Why did you slander my dead sister?" "Who arc you, or who was your sister?" asked Elliott. I raised my thong and I struck him across the shoulder, saying, "I am the brother of the nun who was drowned at Tau- } marunui, " I had" struck five blows I when Elliott wrenched the thong from [ me, but McEntee regained 'possession lof it and •handed" it back to me. I continued to administer a thrashing, and presently Elliott broke away and j attempted to run through his gate-way, I but McEntee blocked his escape. In the j struggle that ensued Elliott fell and [ was...mH^cf'in; the gutter. When he arose again, I once more struck him a few blows with the thong. By this time a number of people had congregated and formed a ring around us. several of them calling out to me tot "lay it on to him." When I considered! I had punished him sufficiently, I let Elliott go, and he went back into the house, whitlier his wife had preceded him. Meantime the driver of the taxi had driven away, believing that Elliott had rung up for the police as turned out to be the case. My "Brother-in-law, and I awaited them. When they arrived we offered no objection to being arrested. I had vindicated my dead sister's honour.'-' When Sub-Inspector Broberg received a telephone message from Rev. Elin a motor car several officers. They found Clements and McEntee inside. liott's house he despatched to the scene the house and arrested and conveyed them to the lock-up. The two men will appear at the Police Court to-morrow-morning, when, it is understood, a remand will be applied Jfor on their behalf.