R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4643, 9 February 1894, Page 3

R.M. COURT.

MA3TERTON.-FRIDAY, {Before T. Hutchison, Esq., 8.M.) A OUARBEt, BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS,

A quarrel between neighbours at Kuripuni resulted in three cross-cases, which occupied the Court at considerable length this morning, Geo. Jaokson, a tall, powerful looking man, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Oeo. Jones, on the evening of the 6th February. Geo. Jackson brought a mobs action against Geo. Jones for assault, and Mrs Jackson charged Mrs Fall, with whom Geo, Jones boarded, of using foul and abusive language,

Sergeant MoArdle conducted the case for the police against Geo. Jackson tor assault, and Mr R. K. Jackson appeared for Geo. Jackson, Ueo. Jones gave evidence that he was sitting on his verandah about 9 o'clock in the evening, on the 6th inst. and saw accused, Geo. Jaokson,prow]ing about outside the fence. Witness went up and asked him what he was watching the house for. Accused made no answer bat picked up a stone and threw it, striking witnesß in the eye. He was only a fow feet from witness, who fell down and shouted out " Murder I Murder! My eye is knooked out," witness then became uncoußoious, but afterwards recovered and went inside, Did not see aqcused. Game down to police station and then went to Dr. Douglas who cleaned the eye and stitched it up. Witness did not throw anystoue himself, and did not give any provocation,

, Cross-examined by Mr Jaokson : Swore positively he did not throw any stone. Accused was on his own ground,

Mrs Falls deposed that she lived next door to accused, and heard the cries of " murder." She came out and saw Jones covered with blood. Blood was also on the ground, and the place looked like a "slaughter yard." Saw Jaokson at the top of the lane. Asked him what was the cause of the ro;?, but he said Jones struck him with a stone on the top of the head, and pointed to a bruise, Knew of no quarrel between Jones and Jackson,

Dr Douglas gave evidence of stitching up the wound on the face of Jones. The upper eyelid was overhanging the eye and the injuries were decidedly serious, The sight of the eye wbb still in danger. M r Jackson, for the defence pleaded justification in self-defence.

Mrs Falconer, called, said she was sitting on the verandah in company with Jackson's wife and accused. Saw Jonoa creeping about on the ground, then saw him throw something, could not Bay whether it struck Jaokson. Jones was creeping about on his hands and knees among the dooks and thistles for half an hour.

His Honour: "That's a very peculiar amusement."

George Jaokson gave corroborative evidence. Admitted having thrown the stone, but said he did it in self defence, He was struck first and immediately took up a stone and let drive. Ho could not tell how many might be attaching him, George Joneo, re-called, denied he was crawling about, and saidjlrs Falconer had not been present at the I time of the row.

The second case Jackson v. Jones was then hoard. The evidence being the same as in tho previous case. His Worship in giving judgmenton the two cases said the second one, that of Jackson v. Jones, was simply laid as a counter blast, In any case it was remarkable that having taken the law into his own hands, Jackson now sought to bring a case against Jones. In tho first case, Jones v, Jackson, His Worship stated that the evidence clearly showed that a very carious assanlt had' been committed, griefou! bodily owm having resulted A)

from the stone-throwing, -The evidence of Dr. Douglas proved that tho.missile musthaveboendelivered .with great force. " Even allowing aconsed the favorable presumption that he acted in self-defenoe, the attaok was disproportionate to the assault. The law was very olear on the point, aDd no one with any oommbn sense oanld say there was justification for the savage assault in return for a blow which, it was alleged, had injured the hat of .ho accused. A fine would not meet the case, and the prisoner Jaokson would bo sentenced to ten days' imprisonment.

Mrs Jaokson then obarged Mrs Fall* with using abusive language, liable to tend to a breach of the peace, lluoh hard swearing wsb indulged in, and a wordy combat in the Court between- accusers and aconsed caused some amusement, The evidence was heard at some length, and His Worship bound Mrs Falls over ti keep the peaoefor three months in htt own recognizances,