FIGHTING CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 9

FIGHTING CHARGE.

AN EARLY MORNING AFFRAY. TAXI DRIVER'S POSITION". During .the hearing of a charge of fighting brought in the Police Court today against two men, one of whom was a taxi driver who pleaded not guilty, both the magistrate and Sub-Inspector Fox commented upon the taxi driver's conduct in driving two lialf-drunken men to three hotels. The other man pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Fox said a constable found the two men fighting near a city hotel on April 5 at 1.10 a.m. One man said he had engaged the taxi driver to drive himself and a companion, but the latter had run off without paying his fare. When the remaining passenger attempted to do likewise, a fight started. Mr. Fawcett, who appeared for the taxi driver, said there had been several cases where taxi men had been assaulted late at night. "Taxi drivers should refuse to drive a couple of lialf-druriken men from one hotel to another trying to purchase liquor," said Sub-Inspector Fox. Mr. Fawcett: My client drove to three hotels, but the men did not get into any of them. If he refuses to take fares, he is immediately in trouble. "He would be looking for trouble if he allows himself to be employed by men under the influence of liquor," remarked the magistrate, who dismissed the charge on payment of costs.