SCENE IN A SHANTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 204, 28 December 1871, Page 6

SCENE IN A SHANTY.

(Tothe Editor.)

Sib, — Walking down the Tuapeka Flat a few dayß since, I observed a humoui'oua, sarcastic article on sly grog Belling, the reading of which called to my mind an incident, which occurred further down the same creek, at a grog shanty or hovel rather. Now, Mr Editor, if you will insert this same incident, you will be doing a good action as well as obliging a few of the miners, by helping to put down such places.

On Sunday last, the 10th inst., A man went to this shanty, and in less than an hour after I saw him quite drunk, being led away from the place by the owner, to sleep off the effect of the drink. Nothing was seen of him again until Monday afternoon, when his mate, who was searching for him, finds him in the shanty, with another man, and the owner's wife. One of the men had some of bis teeth knocked out and some of his ribs broken, the other man, with a bad side, not certain if any of" his ribs are broken, the wife of the proprietor with a pair of black eyes, and several bruises on her body, caused by her husband dragging her by the heels, down a slope, some fifteen yards, and throwing her into a hole, and jumping on her — at least such is her version of how she was marked.

One of the men had over £40 on him when he went to this shanty and after being there four days — he ia brought to his hut, minus £10 — not bad for four days drinking, and he will not be able to work for some weeks yet. The other man as been under, the care of Dr. Maiiler and will have to continue so for some time. The owner of the shanty admits it was himself who assaulted these men, but says he had great provocation. Hoping you will insert this in your next issue, and by giving publicity to it, cause the polife to look after this shanty, and uthors on the creek. — T remain, yours, &c.

Nemo. . ["Nemo" should have communicated the circumstances above" detailed to the police, without delay. The police received information of the affair only a day or two since, and promptly took measures to punish the offenders and prevent a recurrence of such disgraceful scenes.— Ed. "T.T."]"