INCIDENT IN THE STREET.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1921, Page 5

INCIDENT IN THE STREET.

TWO INGLEWOOD RESIDENTS. SEQUEL IN THE COURT. At the Inglewood Magistrate’s Court on Monday, A. A. Leslie was charged with assaulting A. Corkill, chairman of the Inglewood County Council, in the public street. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Alfred Corkill, a farmer residing qD‘ the Lepper Road, Inglewood, said that on the evening of July 26 he was walking down the main street when he met Geo. Morton and Leslie. He said “Good night” to Morton and passed on, when he was caught by the collar of his coat by Leslie and turned round, who called, him a "damned Hun.” Morton then separated them, and Corkill went to the police station find laid a charge against Leslie for assault. He knew of no reaaoh for the assault; but be had had a little difference with Leslie about four years ago, and had not been in his shop nor spuken to him since. In cross-examination, the witness said he was more concerned about the language used chan the offence of catching him by the coat collar. The words actually used -were “Dirty damned Hun.” Leslie had offered to apologise. George Morton also gave evidence in support of the charge, and said he separated the two men: but there was no scuffle or struggle.

I A. A. Leslie said he was a hair-dresser ) and tobacconist, and had resided in Inglewood for 17 years. He looked upon the matter as a trivia] affair. In i fact he was of the opinion that he put I bis hand on Morton s shoulder and not j CorkiU’s at all. He had had a differ;ence with Corkill about four years ago | over some wood. He did not make use |of the words quoted; what he said was , "Beastly Hun.” He had consented to I apologise, and went out to x CorkiU’s 'residence for that express purpose; but I when he arrived there, Corkill demanded a written apology, and as he consid1 ered the offence did noi warrant a writ- | ten apology this he declined to give, I though he was quite prepared to make 'an oral apology. The Magistrate imposed a fine of £2 and costs 7a.