PALMERSTON ASSAULT CASE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10698, 20 August 1912, Page 5

PALMERSTON ASSAULT CASE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., Last Night. Mr Justice Chapman to-day heard three charges against Vincent O'Neill and Howard Webby of assaulting John Stalker. The charges were (1) assault with intent to do bodily harm, (2) assault resulting in bodily harm, and (3) assault. The case excited much interest as O'Neill was a well-known horse trainer, and Stalker was at one time a New Zealand representative footballer, and now living in Palmerston North.

The alleged assault occurred in a local hotel, where Stalker has his meals. Stalker's evidence w-as that. he had endeavoured to stave off a row, and that lie had been assaulted and injured, and the- defence was that Stalker had given O'Neill provocation. When the latter had entered the hotel bar, and had attacked him first, Webby was alleged to have joined in the attack both on Stalker and on another man who attempted to interfere. • A verdict was returned of guilty against O'Neill., on the two latter counts, with a strong recommendation to mercy. The judge passed a sentence of three months with hard labour. A verdict of not guilty was returned against Webby.