BILLIARDISTS AT LAW

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 149, 5 April 1930, Page 5

BILLIARDISTS AT LAW

McCONACHY BOUND OVER. THE TAXI-CAB INCIDENT. CHARGE OP ASSAULT DISMISSED. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This. Day, 10.15 a.m.) 'LONDON, April 4. Clark McConachy, the New Zealand billiardist, summoned by Willie Smith for using threats, was bound over till April 10, when he leaves England, and was ordered to pay costs. The summons was in respect to alleged assault, and was dismissed. Mr Butlin, appearing on behalf of Smith, declared that McConachy complained on March 24, that the billiard halls had not been washed. Smith pointed out that it was McConachy's fault, as lie had arrived late. McConachy suhseqnently made other complaints ' about the table, and also declared that bis ball was flawed and he was playing under a disadvantage. The referee and manager examined the balls and decided, that the complaint was not justified. As McConachy insisted, Smith agreed to use the ball himself. Later the New Zealander alleged that the balls were not a neutral set. Smith agreed to go out and weigh them. The players engaged a taxi in which McConachy, in a vile temper, repeated his allegations. Smith replied, "It is a lie." McConachy stood up threateningly and cried, "I'll knock your head off." Smith shouted to the driver to stop, whereupon McConachy knocked him back in the seat. "I will kill you before ] leave Manchester!" shouted McConachy, and when the referee attempted to pacify him, he added: "Yes, and von as well."

MeConaohy's counsel (Mr Rycroft) declared that McConachy simply leaned forward in the taxi and pushed Smith back in his seat. Tliq. words suggested as if uttered, wove only terms of abuse. Smith had acted childishly in calling the police. McConachy said he had evidently put bis band's on Smith's chest. The referee caught his arm, and as there were two against him, be threatened to clean both up. He thought the balls were the same weight, but the difference in size justified his complaint. "It is very regrettable ' that such a case was brought before the Court, ft is a pity it was not settled privately, as such a dispute between two such eminent players does not add to the prestige of English sport," said the Magistrate, in dismissing Smith's summons for assault. Smith's counsel said that McConachy's suggestion that the balls were not neutral was tantamount to a charge against Smith or the officials of dishonesty or trickery, as they always sealed up the halls after each session. When in the taxi, McConachy repeated to Smith: "They are your own set." Tn the course of cross-examination, McConachy .denied that he had had a low with the ship's captain coming from Australia.