POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 107, 10 May 1902, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Friday, May 9fch, - Before Mr 11. L. Stanford, S.M. A KORU ASSAULT CASK. Samuel Meredith, of Korn, appeared in answer to ir formations laid against him by John Bishop and Jameß Bowman, for assault on the Plymouth-road, on 23rd April. Both cases Wi*re heard together. Mr Roy appeared for complainants, defendant being represented by Mr J. E. Wilson. Affer outlining the cas?, Mr Ray called, Dr. Home, who said he was consulted by John Bishop on 24th April, whim bo was found to be suffering from a contusion of the left temple and disturbance of the heart's action. Bishop hnd for some timo previously be«n attended by D.- Walker for heir" disease, and therefore a blow on the chest would be dangerous. Bishop's ribs were tender to the touch, probably th<i result of a blow. | To Mr Wilson: Doing road work I was not a fit occupation for Bisl.op. i John Bishop (one of the omplain- , ants) said that on 23rd April he was j working on a contract on the Ply-mouth-road, Koru, along with Bowman. Defendant came up and siid, " This job is mine, and I am going to draw the money." Witre s replied ; the job was his own, and defendant jussd insulting language, after which he took off his coat and rushed at witj ness hitting him two blows and knocking him down. Bowmin pullc i defendant off and a scuffle ensued, and witness eaid he was done, but defendant again struck witn«cs over th« heart. After finishing off witness, defendant went for Bowman, using disgraceful language, Fad done nothing to provoke defendant. Was suff«ring from heart diseise. The blow over the hear*; oiused great pun. W*s "rushed" by dbfendant four or five times.

To Mr Wilson; Denied striking defendant first or provoking him. The contract was let to witness, not to defendant. Jas. Bowman corroborated Bishop's evidence, and stated that after defondant had finished ofi Bishop he sai Ito witness: " Now, young fellow, I'll take you on." Witne«s replied: " All right; I'll have a po," and a few rounds ensued, after which witness •ffned «o shake hands, but defendant refuse'!, and used had langsage. To isr Wilson: Denied paying he intended straightening Meredith up. Frank Kail), an intelligent lad of 13 years, gave a very minute and clear account of the quarrel, corroborating the previous witnesses. For the defence, Mr Wilson cmtended that Bishop by his own admission had willingly j lined in a fight with defendant, and therefore there could be no assault. In Biwman's cise, he said that the evidence, vjould show that Bowmtn was ttae aggressor, not Meredith, and he cilled several witnesses tofstablish his cmtenti >n. After counsel on both fides had addressed the Oourt, his Worship decided that the evidence of Bi»hop, corI roborataq by such an exceedingly good , witness as young Baill, was true | throughout. He fined defendant 40s i and .£2 2s coats for the assault on I Bishop, and in Bjwman's case, which hul failed, granted Mr Wilson a fee of Ulls.