A STARTLING STATEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81856, 3 October 1906, Page 3

A STARTLING STATEMENT.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST JOHN NoItTOM. AN ALLEGATION OF MUliDEli. Received 2nd, 10. to p.lll, Sydney, October 2. Some startling statements were made during the hearing of the libel action, on the institution of John Norton against Haynes, proprietor of die Syd-1 ney Newsletter. Morris, a City Couneil employee, stated he was formerly in Norton's innploy. A man named Grohn was a sort of hanger-on at Norton's house. On November 1), IUO2, witness was present with Norton and Grohn, who were drinking, and both were drunk. Tiiey were sitting opposite one another. In the midst of argument, both rose to tueir feet seyeral times. Witness saw Norton hit Grohn on the top of the head, while the loiter was sitting. Witness rushed to stop him. He heard Norton say; "l'ou won't teli anyone about this, you old . You'll never say anything about me aga'u." Witness said. "Norton, you are the biggest coward I ever saw. Y'ou were not satisfied witli knocking him down twice in the kitchen, but you must assault him auain to-night." Grohn fell forward on the carpet and Norton kept a bottle in his hand. Witness picked Grohn up. Jle appeared paralysed and blood was (lowing from his nose. When ivitness spoke, Norton said something like "serve him right." Witness went to Grohn's room at three or four in the morning, and found him dead. He vrakened Norton, who told him not to ring up anyone till six o'clo.ik. He rang up a doctor at 7 SO. At this stage Gruhn's death certfiicate was put on, and showed that death was not registered by Norton till two years later.

Witness said at the time he did not tell anyone what had happened.