DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3820, 27 May 1891, Page 2

DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

Actions for Assault A Tine of L2.

In the R. M, Court this rooming, before Messrs. B. Boys and W. Lowes, J-'sg., William Crawford Wfts with that he did oa the 32nU; May unlawfully assault and beat William Cullen. Application was also made that he be bound oyer to keep the peace. William Cullen was also charged that he did on the same date assault William Crawford and Maria Cullen. The former also applied that Cullen be bound over to keep the peace. Mr. Pownall appeared for Cullen, aud Mr. Skipper for Mrs Uulleu and Crawford. !

Mr. Powtall briefly detailed the ciicuiustanceg of the case, William Cullen,*sworn, deposed:! live at Masterton, and am the infotv mant in the case against" Crawford, and defendent in the two other cases.

I haye been estranged from my wife for about three years, during which

time we have lived apart. I saw my wife on the evening of the 22nd inst, with the defendent Crawford. They wire standing at my gate. Crawford was leaning over the tepee and sfrs. Cullen was alongside. I came across from the Occidental with Mr. Michael Williams about seven in the evening. When they saw me they made a move to go away, but they came back and stopped me from going" Tbey had a sarcastic look. I then turned round to make some remonstrance with my wife about her conduct, when I was knocked down by Crawford. I have not yet ; rpcov. ered from the blow. ,Criwford\wa 8 standing between us. when I spoke 4 U

my wife. I sang out and asked v a boy named Press wood to go for the police. I then stood on the defensive, intending to give the. roan in charge. I whs struck several times after that. I closed with the man to, protect myself. He was " hopping* round "to show h\B prowess. I was rolled in the mud, my clothes were spoilt, aud my watch glass broken. Crawford had made himself scarce when the police arrived. The only provocation I gave wsb to speak to my wife. I might have caught hold of my wife's cloak to prove something, but I never struck her in my life, and had no idea of doing so. I hardly knew what 1 was doing at the time. I wished to avoid a.scene.

By Mr Skipper : I will say ,upon, my oath I did not strike my wife. When t came to the gate Crawford and my wife were on the footpath, Wnen I got up to them I might ham, said ■" Now clear out of that." I d'ST not know that Mrs Cullen was there for the purpose of calling for her daughter. My daughter Annie did not usually sleep at the honso of Mrs Cullen. She stays with both of us.

Mrs Cullen : She did sleep with me I

Witness, continuing: I could not say what my wife was doing at the house. Her indentions are so many and varied. I could noUjj»ear whether or not Mrs Cullen siC* ont . before I arrived. When I .tolcTnei* to clear out she said, «' This isa publio :." footpath." I did not take hold of her. I hadn't a show; I will I did not make a.rush at her with my ' uplifted fist. It was not on account of an attempted blow that the defendant Crawford got between as; I. had not the remotest idea of striking my wife. I said nothing to Crawford before he struck me. I might have said, almost simultaneously with his knocking me down. '• What the haro you to do with ii." Crawford stood between ( myself and my wife the whole time. Crawford did not say. " You shall not strike yohr wife." I gave Crawford no provocation whatever. Before I was knocked down I did not make a blow at Crawford. When I got up I had a wrestle to defend myself. When I was knocked down I might have torn my wife's cloak and bat. Ido not think I did it, for I did not intend to. I undertake to swear t was not" the cause of the destruction ot my wife's cloak und hit. I do not know that the oloak produced is my wife's. She has been, in the habit of wearing a cloak similar to it. The oloak might have, been torn unknown to me, or by the other man. I had no souffle whatever with my wife. I did what I considered to be my duty in speaking to my wife, and this man had nothing whatever to do with it. I might have threatened to brain Crawford in my excitement,'; but I don't think it. After the. 6rst ' scuffle Crawford ran into the road, wd I ran after him. We then had wfiat might be called a fight. I was standing in the defensive, and was knocked down two or three times. Ido not think I knocked Crawford down, although I did my best to. ,-- (Laugh-', ■ ter). I might have Bmashed his hat. < I have not had surgical treatment since the fight. The aSair might ' have lasted for a quarter of an hour. When I had had enough, I said; "I've ' had enough, you're too good for me," I had nothing else to do but this, By Mr Pownall: Crawford has no right to call for my daughter. William Presswood , remember seeing the row on Friday night. I was standing on the edge of the footpath, about ten yards' from Culleu's gate. Crawford and Mrß Cullen were standing at the gate, close to the fence. I saw Mr Cullen come from the opposite side of the road and go towards his gate.. I could not, say .what Crawford and Mrs Cullen then said, I heard no words. I heard was Cullen telling Crawford and Mrs Cullen to clear out. They - took no notice of it. Cullen thsu. went out of his gate and stood along* ' side them; I then saw. Crawford hit Cullen, but did not see (ullen threaten either Crawford or Mrs Cullen, When Crawford struck • Cullen, he was standing between MrsCullen and tr.e. After Cullen was knocked down he sent me for the ' police. Cullen could not have Btruck ', Crawford first without my seeing' him, I should think that Crawford started the row. When I returned from the police station Cullen and a small crowd were all that could be seen. By Mr Skipper: I was standing pretty well in the dark, but it was rather light where Crawford was standing, I will not Bwear tfcat .Cullen did not taise his band to Mrs "Cullen. Crawford was not standing between Mr and Mrs Cullen, I raw , Cullen strike Crawford afterwards. By Mr Pownall: Crawford was looking on till he struck Cullen. He bit him all of a suddon and with* out any exercise. ' " > Jep Pouleen deposed to ramembering Friday night, and seeing Crawford strike Cullen. He heard Crawford say be "would take Mrs Cullen's part so long, as there waa a drop of blood in him." Crawford appeared to be the aggressor. Cullen was trying to keep him off. He saw Cullen knocked down twice. . By Mr Skipper: I Jid not scoi the commencement of the row, and do not " M know what was the oauae of it. I !?'. heard Mrs Cullen say a good lot, but Ido not know what she said, I did not notice the condition of Mrs Cullen. MrsCnllenand I are very good friends, but we dp not speak. ' By the Bench : J did not see Cullen touch his wife. . For the defence Mr Skipper said wished as far as family disputes, His become acquainted with and having a right to keep her company in the street had a right also to protect her, Crawford being a cook at the Argyle Boarding House, wis passing on the evening in question, when he met Mrs Cullen. He was

speaking to her when 'A and. used violent language towardt [them, telling them to clear out. (fallen afterwards, tnafit of violence, laid hands upon his wife and was about to , strike her when Crawford sprang.,,.. between them and stopped the force of [. the blow. Cullen afterwards turned ,jon Crawford and struck him, which* was the'cause of the counter actibni' Crawford .tried to get away, but , Cullen kept up the violent exhibition, and after several threats rushed at ■ him. Crawford straightway knocked hini down and a free fight ensued. Mrs Cullen was as respectable ar most people, and his client was acting asa njari jn defending her./ fa William Crawford, sworn, doposedt I am a cook at the Ar«yle Boardinghouse and defendant in this case. On the evening of the 22nd I met Mrs Cullen in front of Mr Shaw's; the pawnbroker's. She said she wanted ' herdaughter. We then walked down ' to ihe end of Cullen's house and stood on the footpath. Cullen soon after- ■ wards came ( the opposite aide of v. tho etreefc. Hw shop was closed and - • his lights wj.ro out. After getting through the gate, Oullop said, "Now

you clear oat." He afterwards said. "If yoa don't clear oat I'll brain yon." Be afterwards came out. I was standing close to Mrs Cullen. He raised his hand and dealt a blow - which struck Mrs Cullen's shoulder. got between them and took hold of the sleeve of his coat'and warded off the blow to some extent. He then said, "What the h have you to do with it ?" He then rushed at me, and looked like business. He smashed toy hat. (Mr Pownall: I suppose you have sat on it since!) I ihea prepared for the worst, as Cullen became more outrageous. Running down the street I pulled off my overcoat. On returning I found Cullen assaulting his wife.: He torn her coat and pulled her hat off. As Mrs Cullen was in a vary weak state at the time, I seriously interfered and dealt him a blow on the face to prevent assaulting her further. I knocked him down several times, and he then said, "I give you best." 1 have no illfeeling toward Mr Cullen. When Cullen said be gave me best I put my overcoat on and left. The contest was a fair one. By Mr Pownall: I am twenty-six years of age. Mr Cullen may be over fifty. The contest was % fur one, as Cullen struck me first. When the row was over Mrs Cullen and I went tolnfefcouse., I am in the habit of " meeflig Mrs Cnllen. 1 met- her ij Shaw's,-shop,. but not by special appointment.'' I paid an account of six shillings to Shaw on the night the row for Mrs <3ullen. This was in front ot Cullen, who walked out. : There was room for Mr Cnllen to pass when he came. When Cullen told us to clear out, we did not do so. The whole thing was done in a few seconds. We had not time to move away. Mr Cullen picked up a stone, and if we had walked away he might have thrown it at our beads. Cnllen appeared excited and irritated. I did not think the fact of my Binding at Cullen's gate enough to irritate him. I will swear I did not strike Cullen before he ' struck me. I have not rehearsed this story. I have been with Mrs Cullen most of the time since, but we have not spoken much about the case. I knew Mrs Cullen to be in a delicate of health from her own statedelicate stale. I know she wan receiving medical treatment, because I paid tor it. Mrs Cullen did not show the overcoat to the police, as she did not know they were there. I bad no thought of laying an information against Cnllen until I received the summons. I did not see Cullen tear the overcoat. By Mr Skipper;; I got my summon? on Saturday, and laid my information on Tuesday morning. I did not go to have a row. Maria Cullen deposed : lam wife of %illiam Cullen. On the evening ot Friday I was in with Crawford. I came out of Skaws, when I" met Crawford. He said, " Are you going home f I said, " I am waiting formy'Annie." I then called ou.t very load, because I knew I could not go in. I wanted Annie to come home, because she was stay-; ing with me. ) 1 did not feel well, and I wished to get home early. Mr Cullen'camV from across the road and looked on the ground as though he was looking for stones. . He then said "Clear out of this, or I'll shift you." vgjHe afterwards came out of. the gate, tuid raised his hand to strike me when Crawford came between. Cullen was very excited ; at the' time. I was struck on. the shoulder, but it was meant for my head. Cullen said to Crawfordj "What the b h have you to do with if!" Cullen then struck Crawford; ' I got out of the way, as I could not fight. The two then wrestled, after which Crawford took off his coat. Cullen came.

to me then, tore iny coat, palled off my bait, and pulled out a lot of my -s*4iair. Cullen had always said he "would cripple me, and I suppose he Has trying to do it then. Mr Crawford then came up and struck him on the side of the Jace. Cullen struck the first blow. '-' By Mr Pownall: I do not watch Cullen. Ido not see why I should move away when Colten told me. I am a woman although he's a— —.. 1 did not take steps to prosecute Cullen for assault because I did not understand law. £ have been under medical treatment, and am likely to be for three months.. I can tell you, Mr Pownall, that Mr Crawford is not the cause of my illness. Mr Pownall: I ; have not asked about that. Witness.: But I thought I would tell yon. Mr Pownall: But Cray ford paid for your doctor? Witness: Well, Cullen has paid nothing for three-yeare. Mr Pownall: lam instructed not to cross examine this witness further. My client unfortunately still realises that the witness is his wife. Witness: Oh, poor fellow! William Osborne gave evidence a3 to having seen blows struck by both parties. The Bench fined Crawford £2, ordered bim to pay for the damage done to Cullen's clothing, with lis Court costs, 12s witnesses' expenses, and £1 Is Counsel's fee, in default one month'B imprisonment. He was also ordered to find two £lO sureties to keep the pease for six months, to be kept in custody till the money was found, The charges' against- Cullen were dismissed. :■ _■■ SdUC*ttOttßOttd?BJP" [ByTelegraph j Press Association) " Wellington, The election of a member of the Education Board to fill Mr Bunny's vacancy resulted in Mr, W;' ,W. ' McCardle being elected. The are-.—McCardle 89, Lancaster 15, Cox 6. .: S- : L. '"■■ £be protest/of Mr Henrjr Eagle that his nomtnation as a member of the Maurke#te East Committee was refused byJthe?Churman was considered. Tfir Board declared the election voic^~and' i * ordered another election to take place wwards the end