PARTNERS FALL OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 281, 27 November 1929, Page 9

PARTNERS FALL OUT.

"CIRCUS" AFTER THE SHOW. MAN SENT TO HOSPITAL. EXPLANATIONS IN COURT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. .After the show was over and the crowd had departed, a real "circus" commenced at Ohaupo on the night of November 20, when the little Waikato township was favoured by the visit of Tew and Webb's "famous circus."

Mrs. Annie May Tew and William George Webb had only been in partnerehip in the circus business about a week, and working for them were six men and several women. Webb was ringmaster and Mrs. Tew took the money at the door. The family had not been a happy one. Mrs. Tew said Webb sulked, and that trouble had been brewing all along. The storm broke ae the tent was being lowered after the show. The circus did not commence till 8.40, according to Mrs. Tew, owing to Webb etill sulking and refusing to go into the ring. By that time the crowd was beginning 'to assail the officials with whistles and cat-callr». Webb declares he could not start the show because the male staff was practically in a state of insurrection. However, during the lowering of the tent a fight occurred in which Webb said he was struck on the nose by Mrs. Tew, and that Shaw, the buckju'mper, then kicked him on top of the head; Scarhill, the clown, jumped on him; King, another hand, put hie boot into his face; and Tew (Mrs. Tew's husband) kicked him in the ribs and other parts of the body. As the result he was removed to the Waikato Hospital, where he lay till yesterday suffering from injuries to his face, head, ribs and spiue.

To-day Stanley Tew was charged with assaulting Webb. Webb affirmed, rather volubly, that he was endeavouring to run ''a decent, respectable show." He did not like some of the "crowd" who had joined up, ae he heard them declare they were going to rob shops and steal during their proposed tour up North. He would not stand for this - , and the "crowd" got him "set." He knew they were going to "lay" for him, and he had decided to leave the show when he got to Hamilton. Mrs. Tew asked him if that was his intention, and on his replying in the affirmative 6he "plugged" , him on the nose. Her husband then "eet into him" and all the others came down on him. Language was flying and there was a general rumpus. Finally he gathered his blankets, and, bleeding and bruised, he departed. He was seen by a doctor on the Ohaupo station and removed to hospital. Tew described Webb as quick-tempered and abusive, and said no one in the ehow liked him, although he was an excellent ringmaster. On the night of the rumpus he heard Webb abusing Mrs. Tew, and when he asked what it was all about Webb "rushed" him. They • Wl) in gripe, and rolled about for a time. Webb's injuries must have been caused by falling against tent pegs or on the track.

Mrs. Tew and several circus Lands gave evidence that Webb caused the trouble and provoked the fight. AH denied having participated in the assault.

Wyvern Wilson, S.M., considered Webb's story more consistent with the injuries he received and fined Tew £5 and costs.