"DRUNKEN BRAWL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18, 23 January 1933, Page 3

"DRUNKEN BRAWL."

FREE FIGHT AT KOHI. INCIDENT NEAR DANCE HALL. ARRESTED MEN ACQUITTED. Something was heard about a free fight which took place near a dance hail at Koliimarama on Saturday night when two men appeared in the Police Court to-day, charged with being disorderly while drunk in Tamaki Drive. They were Walter William Christie (19), upholsterer, and Carlos Mery (20), a Chilian cook. Both pleaded not guilty. Mr. Hall Skelton appeared for Christie. Gordon Hunter said he was driving past the dance hall in his car about 11.45 on Saturday night when he saw a free light. There were about 00 or 70 young men and women there. There were numbers of broken bottles on the roadway and witness could not get past in his car. He went and informed Constable Collins of what was going on. He saw Christie waving his arms and edging others on. When he returned with the constable witness said he pointed out to the constable Christie, who was in a motor car with others about fifty yards away. Constable Collins then arrested Christie. "It was really a drunken brawl," added Hunter. Rechabite Officer. Mr. Skelton: Are you sure you saw accused near the light, as it was halfdark —Yes. Did you not tell the sergeant at the city watcli house that you thought Christie was the man?— No. Constable Collins said lie acted on what the witness had told him and arrested Christie. He did not see the brawl. Mr. Skelton said Christie took no part in the disturbance. When it started in the dance hall, lie took his young lady away and asked a motorist if lie woui I give them both a lift to town. Others got in the car. Hunter pointed ou f Christie, and although quite sober, lie was arrested. "Why, Christie does not even drink. He has passed through all the chairs of the Rechabite Order," added counsel.

Christie said he went with his young lady to Kohi on a. "mystery bus," which took them to a dance. Three different fights started in the dance hall and witness thought it was time to go. With his girl he went to a motor car, others getting in also. Hunter eanio along, when 0110 of the other men in the car. whom witness did not know, made the remark: "We have had a victory." Hunter then said (pointing to witness): "Yes, I think he's the one." Constable Collins then arrested witness. Not Prepared to Convict. Detective-Sergeant Martin: Did you have any liquor?— No. I'm a Rcclmbile and the rules forbid us to drink. Some men asked me to have a drink there and when I refused they pushed a bottle into my chcet and some of the liquor spilt on my clothes. Was the fight not caused through the local men taking sides against the city young men who went down?—l don't know. "Mystery buses arc a thing that should bo avoided sometimes," said the magistrate, who dismissed the charge again&t Christie. In Mery's case evidence was given that he was one of the number of men who were fighting. Mercy, in evidence, said he was a Chilian who deserted from a Chilian man-o'-war some time ago. He denied that he had taken part in the fight, but said some one pushed him when he was leaving the hall. "I am not prepared to convict upon the evidence," said the magistrate, who dismissed the charge.