A LABOR QUARREL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 199, 11 January 1913, Page 5

A LABOR QUARREL.

CIIARGE OP ASSAULT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At the Magistrate Court, Wm. C. J. McGuire was charged that, on December 19, last year, he assaulted Hiram Hunter. The plaintiff, Hunter, in evidence, stated that he was a City Councillor and president of the North Canterbury Labor Representation Committee. McGuire was engaged as secretary of the Bazaar Committee. As a result of the alleged use by McGuire of violent language at the .bazaar Hunter, as president, wrote asking him to resign. On the date of the assault defendant went to Hunter's office and attempted to open negotiations, but Hunter refused to talk with him. While plaintiff was dusting his desk, defendant lashed out and his ring cut his nose. McGuire said: "I'll kill you, Hunter." Witness's nose bled freely. He rushed McGuire from the office, and in the passage McGuire picked up a chair and. threatened to "bash out" witness's brains. He laid an information. He believed defendant to be dangerous and of ungovernable temper, Defendant, in his evidence, stated that on the day of the assault Hunter had made some remarks as to witness's character, and he- had slapped him. Hunter had come at him with a chair. Witness had looked upon it all as a burlesque. He had thought Hunter a fierce fighting man, but had found him "a big schoolboy." The Magistrate said that the case was one which well might have been settled out of court. It was not a case for sureties. Defendant would be fined £2 and ordered to pay costs.