THROWN OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 276, 21 November 1932, Page 7

THROWN OUT.

WORKER IN HOTEL.

EMPLOYED AT WESTFIELD.

WITNESSES DENY STATEMENTS

" You young men seem to think that the Otahuhu Hotel ought to be kept exclusively for strikers," said Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., in the Otahuhu Police Court this morning, when convicting George Whye, 22, for an assault in the Criterion Hotel on November 10.

Whye was charged with assault and using obscene language. He was represented by Mr. Jacobson, and pleaded not guilty.

Sergeant Eowell said that Ronald W. Godfrey, at present working at Westfield, went to the hotel on November 22 to sec a friend. He was sitting peacefully on a bench inside the door talking to a friend, when Whye came in and said, "You are the man who accepted work at Westfield. You are a —." He then picked Godfrey up by the collar and threw him out of the hotel door.

Godfrey said that Whye told him he had no right to be at the hotel, as he would only be killed. Cross-questioned he said he had taken no drink, had entered into no discussion with Whye, and had not told Whye that he was going to do as he liked.

Counsel: When you went to the hotel you knew that you would be meeting strikers. Did you think it was wise to go there? '

The Magistrate: Why should he be kept out? You ;.. - e surely not suggesting that men who are working at Westfield have no right to go into the hotel at Otahuhu.

Counsel: I was only pointing out that when feeling is running high a certain course is advisable.

Witness denied that he sprang up and made a hit at Whye. ,

W. H. Whitmore, a witness called by the police, repudiated his statement given to the police at the time, as he was afraid he would be dragged into the matter. His evidence under oath was to the effect that Whye came in and spoke to them all and asked Godfrey why he had accepted work at Westfield, as it was not a "fair pop" to the rest of the workers. Godfrey replied that he would please himself, as it was every man for himself. When Whye had made a certain accusation Godfrey sprang up and Whye put him out to save further trouble. No blow was struck.

Other police witnesses denied their original statements.

In' convicting Whye for assault, Mr. Levien said Godfrey had a perfect right to work at Westfield when good work was offering. The assault might have led to something more serious, and it was a great pity that three young men had gone back on their original statements. •

Whye was fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. He was given one month in which to pay.