A Spicy Case.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 275, 19 March 1889, Page 3

A Spicy Case.

Considerable interest was taken in the assault case brought by Mr P. Selig, of the Beferee, Christchurch, against Mr O. M. Gray. The Court was crowded during the hearing Messrs C. Whitefocrd, B M., B. Westenra and W. White were on the Bench. The complainant deposed that he was coming down Manchester-street at 7.30 p.m. on February 18, when Mr Gray sprang out and struck at him, saying, “ Here you, b Selig," and struck him with a stick on the head. Witness closed with him, and put him down. On gaining his feet Mr Gray continued to abuse witness, calling him, “ B—— Jew ” and •' contemptible sneak,” and asked him why he had written an anonymous letter charging him with going with women. Witness denied writing the letters, end said he (Gray) could go with 20 women if he liked. Gray said: "Then you know who did.” Defendant then picked up his wig, hat and stick and commenced flourishing his stick. Witness told him to stop or he would strike him with a stick he held, Thomas Compton, a boy about 15, deposed he saw the assault, and heard a lot of bad language used by Gray. Mr C. M. Gray, the defendant, said that a day or two before the affray he received an anonymous letter. He would first ask leave of the Court to explain that some time ago he had refused to give Mr Selig “ tick ” for a white shirt, and Mr Selig had talked about him in bars and billiard rooms. On Saturday February 16th, he got a letter saying “ Beware of Yid with giglamps ; he has set a watch on you; look out for further developments.” (Selig wears spectacle".) He had also received another letter which he had thrown away. He met Selig by accident near the rink, and quietly asked him about the letter. He denied tha* he h-'d used any bad language whatever, and he did not strike Selig with a stick, but with his gloved hand. The complainant'e evidence about the wig wis absolutely untrue ; that there was any talk about women was absolutely untrue. Selig’s evidence was a tissue of lies. SeHg used such expressions as "You are a beautiful teetotal fanatic,’ which corresponded with similar expressions in the letter and caused him to believe that Selig was the writer. Before using ihia expression Selig waived his arms and stick about in an excited wav, and that witness thought, justified him in strlking the complainant. Witness’ wig was never off during the struggle. The Bench was of opinion that the affair was brought about entirely by Mr Gray's conduct. Hav. ing thought fit to ask complainant a question, and haying got his answer, he should have taken it, and gone away without raising an altercation, Instead or that, defendant continued to say, •' Oh, if you did not write the letter you know who did.” The affair did not appear to be very serious, and a fins of 40a would meet the case, with costs £1 10s, Within an hour of the completion of the O ise the amount of the fine was subscribed and left at Gray’s shop by a few sympa* thising friends,