PROVOKING A MANAGER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 239, 7 October 1903, Page 5

PROVOKING A MANAGER.

A TRUMPERY ASSAULT CASJ-

Mi- .1 V MeMahon. theatrical manager was summoned by a Dill - pOHter named Thomas Harris Smith in the Police Court to-day for assau ting h.m on the night of September 20th at the Opera House. The complainant, who was represented by Mr J. C. Martin, said he told (be defendant about a pass having been re* fused at the theatre. MeMahon replied that he did not believe il. so he told the defendant that he would throw up his job as his word was doubted. MeMahon called him a drunken loafer and a cad, slapped . him in the face with his open hand, and then struck him with his clenched list, causing a bruise on his check which was -till

visible

Smith was questioned by the Stipendiary (Mr T. Hutchison) as to his reason for suddenly refusing to go on duty in the box office, his usual evening occunation.lTe said it was because MeMahon practically called him a liar. "A perfectly absurd reason," commented the magistrate. The complainant called three witnesses, who said they saw MeMahon strike complainant, and the defendant gave evidence upon his own behalf. He said Smith behaved in a very offensive manner, and he pushed him out of the theatre twice. This -was borne out by .lames Mc-Derinott, electrician at the theatre.

Mr Hutchison said he looked upon the affair as trivial and trumpery, that he would dismiss the information. So trivial was the cause upon which Smith threw up his duties that it rather suggested that he was not in his sober senses, lie behaved offensively to the defendant, and so provoked whatever punishment he received.