THE ASSAULT CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2575, 9 August 1909, Page 3

THE ASSAULT CASE.

TWO MEN CONVICTED

The hearing of the oases in which George Williams proceeded against Charles Chalder and Harry Ohlsen for assault, and the cross charge of assault brought by Ohlsen against Williams were continued before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. Mr. T. A. Coleman appeared for Williams and Mr. J. R; Kirk for Chalder and Ohlsen. In opening the case for the defence Mr. Kirk said the evidence would show that Williams was the aggressor. It would not be suggested that Williams had caused any material harm, but after the row at the Masonic Hotel cor-ner-he (Williams) invited Ohlsen over the Kaiti Bridge, where the row was continued. Defendant Ohlsen said that on Monday night last, about C p.m., he was talking to Chalder about boats, and Williams came up and said “What is all the trouble about?” Witness replied “nothing,” and Williams said he knew a good deal about boats and had an “A.8.C.” certificate. He told Williams lie was talking a lot of rot, and then Williams commenced to pull his (witness’) coat and shoved him. He told Williams to get to li— out of the road, and tried to avoid him, but Williams followed him trying to put his. hands on witness. Williams commenced to call him. names including “a fatlioaded Dutchman.” Williams continued to shove him about, and invited him over the bridge to fight. Witness had never boon drunk, and he never punched Williams on the nose at the Masonic corner. Williams challenged witness over to Kaiti and he and Chalder wore waiting for Williams on the bridge. When he arrived he at once made a rush at witness and struck him. Williams then calk’d out “Blue murder. Witness was knocked down but alter wards he got up and walked away. Two men came up and asked witness what he kicked Williams for. Witness said ho neither kicked nor hit Williams. Williams ran to li is shop. He never struck Williams. The fight, only lasted two or three seconds, and (balder took no part in the row. To Mr. Coleman: He never told Innes that lie would punch Williams on the snout. He was not a fighting man, hut he wont over the bridge to have a fight with Williams. Charles Chalder, one of the delendants, said that on the night of the row Williams was using bad language to Ohlsen. and pushed him about. Williams invited Ohlsen to go over tho bridge and fight. Witness went over to sec fair play, but took no part in the row. Sydney Old and Richard Kellet gave evidence that they saw Williams act in an aggressive manner’ at the Masonic corner. Mr. Coleman asked to call another witness for tho informant, and his Worship agreed, but as the witness could not bo found his evidence was dispensed with. His Worship said he was satisfied that, Williams was cowardly assaulted on the • bridge. Chalder and Ohlsen would be convicted and each fined £2 with costs £4 ss, in default seven days’ imprisonment with hard labor. The charge brought by Ohlsen against Williams was withdrawn.