A Paltry Case from Conisborough

Annie Elizabeth Milnes, married woman, Conisborough, was charged with assaulting William Gillatt, labourer, Conisborough, on May 2nd. Mr. Hall prosecuted, and Mr. Baddiley defended.

Gillatt said he had to go and fetch water for his master in a barrel from the town pump. The water required to be pumped. There were two outlets, one lower bucket, and one higher to admit the barrels under it. By a key a tap could be turned which allowed the water to go to the higher outlet instead of running through the lower as it ordinarily did.

The defendant came as he was pumping and loosed the lower tap, thus causing the water to run into her bucket. But he said she must pump for herself, and he pushed her away and screwed up the lower tap, and went on pumping. Then the defendant got water and threw it over him and then ran away. He had not struck her, and she began the mischief.

Cross-examined by Mr. Baddiley, he thought it was the proper thing for the householder to wait till he had filled his big barrel if he got there first. They must pump for themselves. People might have complained about him. He had pushed the defendant away before. When she had thrown the water at him he flung a stone after her but he did not hit her.

Mary Jane Purdy, who lived near the pump, said she was called by Mrs. Wood to the door and saw the defendant push the complainant, and then the complainant push her back. She saw two lots of water thrown by the defendant, and the complainant threw a stone.

Mrs. Gillatt, complainant’s wife, said when her husband came home he was very wet all down his back.

The Bench did not ask Mr. Baddiley to bring rebutting evidence, but decided to dismiss the case as it was of such a trivial character. The Chairman hoped the Local Board would see the pump was properly used in the future.