The Poole Telegram. — 1882-01-27 (Poole, Dorset, England)

THE KNIFE AT SWANAGE.  James Hobbs, on bail (23), labourer, was indicted tot unlawfully and maliciously causing gracious bodily harm to one Albert Bonfield, at Swanage, on December 4th, 1881. Mr. V. Budge prosecuted, and Mr. Wills defended. P.O. Elias Greenstock said be was stationed at Swanage on the night of Suudiy. Is, camber 4th last, the prosecutor came to the station about 12 o'clock. His arm was bandage I and in a sling, and he showed him a wound on the back part of the head and in the neck. The wounds were fresh and bleeding. Witness went with the prosecutor and three other men ta Herston, and made a srarch for the knife, which was ultimately discovered in a garden close by. The knife was damp with dew, and there was a slight stain of blood on the blade. Witness went to prisoner's house and found him in bed. In reply to questions, he said he w.s very drunk, that Bonfield pitched into him, and after that he did not know what happened. In the presence of the prosecutor, prisoner said if he stabbed him he was vary sorry for it, and wanted to shake hands and mate it np. Prosecutor was called and proved the nature of the assault. He was provoked by the prisoner to strike him, and he did so. They were about to fight when he was stabbed by the prisoner. In cross-examaination by Mr. Wills, he admitted he had been several Grace summoned—for drunkenness and assault. George Turner, stonemason, living at Swansge, said the night in question he maw the prosecutor and Hobbs. Toe latt ,r said "Do you recollect when you knocked me down. lam a man now, can you do it now, you beggar." Bonfield went home, and prisoner remained there cursing and swearing. Bonfield came back again, and they commenced fighting. After some scuffling B infield rushed to him and said, "Oh dear I I'm stabbed." The knife was afterwards found in a garden, close by where the fight took place. Cross-examined : The fight lasted about ten minutes. Bonfield got the best of the first two rounds, but in the third he had the worst of it—or it appeared so by the look of his arm. Mr. Wills: You have been convicted before? Witness: Yes. His Lordship : But he la a Swanage man, Mr. Wills. (Laughter.) Mr. Wills: I am not acquainted with their habits, my lord.  Pia Lordship: Oh They're a lively lot down there. titer.) henry Haysome gave corroborative evidence. He heard Bonfield say he wee stabbed, and he showed him his arm which was cut. They searched the tvisoncr for the knife, but did not find it on him. Witness picked up the knife (produced) in a garden. This witness also admitted a conviction for assault. Lord Coleridge : Its the way down there, isn't it ? Witness: I had three months for it. I don't know if Its the way down there r not. (Laughter.) Mr. Delamotte, surgeon, at Seranage, described the injuries received by Mintield. Ile had three superficial wounds, one on the arm, about four inches 1 ,ng, one in his head an inch bug,and one in the neck also on inch long. Booty° Weeks, conGctioner, said he I eroannend the scuffle, and washed Hobbs; the wounds at a pump. Henry Brown, living at Herstone. said he woe h 1 bed at the time of the quarrel. lie heard a cry of murder. lie  (