A fight between Indian watchmen, in which umbrellas were used, resulted in a lengthy hearing by Mr. G. W. King at H.M. Police Court, last Friday, on a summons for assault against Jag-ga Singh and Batchant Singh. Defendants brought a countercharge against the complainants, Noria Singh, Dula Singh and Chanan Singh, alleging assault.
Mr. J. G. Priestwood appeared for complainants and Mr. R. C. Faithfull for the defence.
Mr. Priestwood said that last Sunday afternoon Dula Singh and Noria Singh were walking in the vicinity of a mill on the Chapei side of the Soochow Creek. On passing Jagga Singh and Bat-chant Singh, one of the latter shouted, "You cannot pass by here."" Complainants took no notice and were attacked by Jagga and Batchant. Noria warded off the blows with his umbrella, which was smashed, and he received an injury to his little-finger. Dula also received three blows on the right shoulder, and his finger was bitten. Chanan Singh witnessed the affray, but came up too late to assist his friends. 4 Noria Singh gave evidence that as he and his friend were passing the oil mill gate one of the defendants used filthy language to them, saying, 'I do not know you two. You cannot pass this gate.'' Defendants then attacked. Chanan Singh heard a scream and ran to their assistance.
In answer to Mr. Faithfull, witness said he had never been a friend of the defendants.
"T suggest it was just a bit of a scrap. You had all made it up together and decided not to take out a summons," said Mr. Faithfull. Witness disagreed.
The other complainants having given corroborative evidence, Mr. Faithfull suggested that, as it was noon, and the prosecution had just closed, it wag a very favourable opportunity for an adjournment. He also wanted to call other witnesses who had not come to court. "You know, I am not a young man, your Worship," Mr. Faithfull added. "One must have something to support the inner man, some light refreshment. (Laughter.) I have much further to go than your Worship in the middle of the day."
The Magistrate said this was certainly a novel application, but intimated that he would prefer to go on with the case. If there had to be an adjournment, the court might resume the hearing a little later than usual.
Mr. Faithfull said there might have been some sort of a scrap. As to the disagreeableness, he was at a loss-to understand it.
One of the-defendants was then called. In answer to Mr. Faithfull, witness said complainants were drunk. On several occasions when his wife had passed them they had. used bad language io her.
Cross-examined, witness said once he was convicted of assault and sent to prison for a month.
Both defendants were fined $10 or seven days, the counter-summons brought by them being dismissed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.