CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2574, 7 August 1909, Page 7

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

A FISHMONGERS’ ROW

In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., two peculiar cases of alleg'd assault were heard, when George Williams charged Charles Chalder and Harry Olilsen with assaulting him in front of tlio Masonic Hotel on Monday last. Olilsen also charged Williams with having assaulted him. Mr. T. A. Coleman appeared for Williams, and Mr. Kirk for Chalder and Olilsen.

Mr. Coleman said the parties were rivals in the fish business, and tlic row occurred out of trade rivalry. All witnesses were ordered out of Court.

George. Williams, fruiterer and fish monger, said he knew Chalder and Ohlsen, and saw them on Monday evening last outside the Masonic Hotel, where they were selling fish. Witness had a hand-cart load of-fish at the same place. Witness spoke to Olilsen, and said there was not much business doing. Olilsen at once struck him with his fist. Some bad language was used, and Ohlsen said he would see witness over tlie bridge. He replied that he lived over the bridge, and after a few minutes went homewards. When on the footway of the Kaiti bridge lie was struck twice by a man and knocked insensible. When he recovered his senses he saw both defendants there. He was bruised about the head and body from the blows be received, and lie had lost two teeth. He was certain Olilsen struck 'die first blow, blit could not say who struck the second blow. To Mr. Kirk: His assistant was selling the fish. He had had some drinks on the day in question. Neither liquor or the presence of a Dutchman excited him. As far as he himself knew Chalder did not assault him. He was not talking' to Ohlsen about having been a sailor, and never told Ohlsen he held an A.B. certificate. Ohlsen said something about witness having done a Airs. Nicliolis some harm. Ohlsen had put his horse in Airs. Nicholls’ paddock that witness paid rent for. Ho was not annoyed that Ohlsen helped Airs. Nicholls. He had never looked for bother in his life. He never put his hands on Ohlsen. Ho never used bad language to Olilsen. Told Sergeant Hutton that Ohlsen assaulted him. Waltel- Rout, a visitor from Auckland, said he was near the Alasonic ■Hotel corner on Alonday evening last, and saw Williams and Olilsen talking together, and Ohlsen pushed Williams and used bad language. Williams said “Don’t you push me; if you do you might get into trouble.” Olilsen then struck Williams on the nose and face. The blows were severe. Williams then went to speak to another man. Olilsen went into the Alasonic Hotel with two men, and when Ohlsen came out again he went up to where Williams, was standing, but the latter went away. Ohlsen said to his companions to run and catch Williams on the bridge and settle him. The party then set off after Williams. He did not follow because he had a poisoned finger. In his opinion Williams was sober, but Ohlsen appeared to have been drinking. To Air. Kirk: He was reading the “Gisborne Times” on Miller’s corner when he heard Williams telling a man lie had been assaulted, and told Williams that he had seen a man strike him.

Alfred Hart, brother-in-law of informant Williams, said he was at Kaiti on Monday evening, last with Frank Nield and Dinnic.-Solomon. He saw Williams going towards Kaiti. He also saw both defendants following Williams at a- rapid pace. He and Nield followed, and at the Kaiti end of the bridge they saw Williams laying on the ground, and Chalder kicking him. Ohlsen was standing on one side. To Mr. Kirk: The night was bright, and ho could see distinctly. He had no conference with Williams about the evidence he was to give. Francis Neill, a groom, gave similar evidence as to having seen two, men following Williams over the Kaiti bridge on Alonday night. He knew defendant Ohlsen, but did not remember seeing defendant Chalder before. He saw Ohlsen appear to strike Williams in tho face. Williams then fell and the man. who was with Ohlsen rushed in, as also did Ohlsen. Ohlsen again struck at Williams, and the. latter called out “help.” Witness then came up, and he saw defendant der apparently on Williams’ legs, but lio did not see any kicks. He did not know Chalder, but identified him as tho nian he had seen with Olilsen. A man named limes- pulled Ohlsen off Williams, and Olilsen ran away. He-(wit-ness) followed Ohlsen to make sure that it was really him. Chalder said to limes “You don’t know me.” John limes also gave evidence that he saw Ohlsen and Chalder assault Williams on. the. bridge. . The case was then adjourned until this morning. . .