A MAN STABBED.
JOHN MORRA ARRESTED.
THE WOUNDED MAN'S EVIDENCE.
George Mervyn Daniels, a carter, single, and aged thirty-three years, was stabbed in the chest on Saturday afternoon at Gibbie's fish stable, in Lower Stuart street. His alleged, assailant was John Morra, and the weapon used was an ordinary tobacco knife with a blade about 2in long. This penetrated the cavity of the chest, and the man's condition was so serious that it was resolved to hold court at the hospital to record his evidence. He was easier yesterday, however, and continued so to-day.
Morra is a Chilian, who has lived here for some years. He was arrested by Constable Rasmussen, and stated that Daniels had struck him and knocked him down, and that he had cut Daniels with the knife, not intending to do so.
Before Mr Kenrich; S.M., Sub-inspector Norwood, Constables Rasmussen and Butler, and the accused, the wounded man gave the following evidence on Saturday: — "I am a carter, residing at 23 Howard street, Dunedin. I have known the accused to speak to for about two years. I have always been on friendly terms with him. I met him at 12.15 p.m. to-day (December 19, 1908) in the back yard of Gibbs and Co.'s. fish stable, in Lower Stuart street. I came out of the stable after putting the horse in. I saw accused come into the yard, and I spoke to him. I said: 'Jimmy, you only gave me 3s instead of 3s 6d.' Accused called me a — — and a — —. I said: 'Don't you use them words to me.' Accused used more words of a similar class. I said: 'If you use them words to me you will get into harm,' or words to that effect. There was some more words said, but I can't remember what they were. Accused then stooped down and picked up a piece of stick about 2iin wide and about 1in thick. He struck at me, and the blow grazed my face and landed on my shoulder. I then struck accused with my fist. He again hit me with the stick on the shoulder, and I then struck him on the chin with my fist, knocking him down. I left him, and went into the stable to attend to my horse. Accused came into tie stable after me with a knife. He had it in one hand, I can't say which. As he came in the door he appeared to take the, knife out of one of his pockets." Witness identified the knife produced as similar, to the one accused used. He continued: "Accused made a rush at me and struck me in the breast with the knife. I felt it pierce me, and I caught him by the wrist and tried to take the knife from him. . . . We both struggled, and I called out for assistance — 'Charlie and Joe.' In struggling I pot a cut on the finger from the knife. Mr Gibbs came out and took the knife from accused. . . . As Mr Gibbs came out he said: 'Hullo, what is the matter here?' I said: 'He stabbed me, Charlie.' Accused said something to Gibbs which I don't recollect. . . . At the time accused struck me with the knife be was mumbling to himself. . . . The blow of the knife was wilfully done. Accused was under the influence of liquor at the time. I had two drinks during the morning, the last one about 11.40 a.m."
Examined by Accused: "I did not say 'You black ____ give me sixpence.'"
The charge preferred against Morra is "that on December 19, at Dunedin, he did cause actual bodily harm to George Daniels by stabbing him in the chest with a knife."
Accused was remanded, till Wednesday next. -Evening Star, 21/12/1908.
STABBED FOR SIXPENCE.
Dunedin Carter Wounded.
Chilian Accused of Using Chilled Steel.
Things have been moving with joyful briskness in Dunedin lately. This, no doubt, is due to the desire of the good, kind souls of this hospitable city to provide the "Truth" man with, cheerful copy and thus enable him to earn a crust and an occasional cup of afternoon tea. He, therefore, bows, and likewise smiles. Only last week, for instance, amongst other bright incidents, there were two cases of attempted sudden slaughter, one by means of a gun and the other by cold steel. The second affair occurred on Saturday afternoon, and as the result, George Mervyn Daniels, (33), a carter travelling in single harness, lies in the Hospital with a knife wound in his chest. Also John Morra, familiarly known as "Chilly," because he is a native of Chili, is under arrest, charged that he did cause actual bodily harm to Daniels, by stabbing him in the chest with a knife. Like most serious affairs this arose out of a very trivial thing — from the question of a paltry sprat, in fact. Daniels accused Morra of having given him only three bob instead of three and six. "Words" followed and at the finish Daniels found himself in the Hospital with a knife wound in his chest. His condition was then so serious that Mr Kenrick, S.M., attended the Hospital with the police and took his evidence. Daniels made the following statement: — "I am a carter, residing at 23 Howard street, Dunedin. I have known accused for about two years and have always been on friendly terms with him. I met him at 12.15 p.m. on Saturday in the back yard of Gibbs and Co's fish stable, in Lower Stuart-street. I saw accused come into the yard, and I said: Jimmy, you only gave me 3s, instead; of 3s 6d. Accused called me a ____ and a ____. I said:
DON'T YOU USE THEM WORDS to me. Accused used more words of a similar class and I said: If you use them words to me you will get into harm, or words to that effect. There were some more words used, but can't remember what they were. Accused then stooped down and picked up a piece of stick about 2 1/2in. wide and about 1/2in. thick. He struck at me and the blow grazed my face and landed on my shoulder. I then struck accused with my fist. He again hit me with the stick on my shoulder, and then I struck him with my fist on the chin, knocking him down. I left him and went into the stable to attend to my horse. Accused came into the stable after me with a knife. He had it in one hand, I can't say which. Accused made a rush at me and struck me m the breast with the knife. I felt it pierce me and I caught him by the wrist and tried to take the knife from him. We both struggled and I called out for assistance — 'Charlie and Joe.' In struggling I got a cut on the finger from the knife. As Mr Gibbs came out, he asked what was the matter, and I said, 'He's stabbed me, Charlie.' Accused said something to Gibbs which I don't recollect. At the time accused struck me with the knife he was mumbling to himself. The blow of the knife was wilfully done. Accused was under the influence of liquor at the time. I had two drinks during the morning, the last at about 11.40."
Accused was remanded.
The weapon used was a tobacco knife, with a two-inch blade. The cavity of Daniels' chest was penetrated, but by Monday he had improved somewhat. Morra has lived in Dunedin for some years. When arrested by Constable Rasmussen he said Daniels had knocked him down and he had cut the man with a knife, not intending to do so. -NZ Truth, 2/1/1909.
DEATH.
DANIELS. — On May 24, 1918, died from wounds "Somewhere in France" Driver George Mervyn Daniels (4th Reinforcements), beloved brother of A. O. D. H. M. and W. H. Daniels, Dunedin.
He did his duty. -Otago Daily Times, 5/6/1918.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
IN MEMORIAM.
DANIELS. — In loving memory of Driver George Mervyn Daniels, 5/181 (4th Reinforcements), who died of wounds, 24th May, 1918, somewhere in France.
We looked for his safe return, We longed to clasp his hand;
But God postponed the meeting — It will be in a better land.
— Inserted by his loving brothers and sister. -Evening Star, 24/5/1919.
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