NOT EXCUSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 187, 10 August 1939, Page 12

NOT EXCUSED.

DANCE INCIDENT.

ENDS IN ASSAULT.

M.C. APPEARS IN COURT. FINE OF £3 IS IMPOSED. The failure of a dancer at the Labour Mall l.ii-l niglit to make the customary remark of "L.viim* .Mi*' 1 while a. foxtrot of rh.it iininc \>'a- in progress, had much to do \ nil i lie appearance of the M.C. in the 11 i-i. in the Police Court to-day on a charge of a-sault. ( liargp'l heiore Mr. ,1. Morling, S.M., •> .i n assaulting Thomas Uuggan, a. lab- • •lire*. Arthur Axel Walker (-1), pleaded gmII x . Siih-Inspector Pender said a da rue known a- an "Excuse Me 11 foxtrot was in progress at the Labour Hall last night, and Walker was dancing with a xoiing woman when Dugg.m approached the couple. He touched Walker on the shoulder ami then fiynced with his j i*i rt rier. Walker then approached Dugg.m while the dance was srtill ill progiesn and told him that in future lie should -ay "Excuse Me" before taking the partner.

"That'll be the day," replied Dugg.in ; tx hereupon Walker struck complainant on the mouth and cut his lip. I)iigga.n xvas treated at the hospital and the medical expenses totalled lil/. Walker tvas the M.C. at the dance.

"The blow HI ruck was induced by the impertinence and hostile attitude of Dugg.in ami his failure to make the customary remark of "Excuse Me,' " >uid MrBainbridgc, vtlio appeared for n reused. "When my client spoke to Duggau and told him xvli.it he should in future do, Duggan adopted the orthodox boxing .-lance. I think that Walker's sense of discretion xvas momentarily oxerridden by the impetuosity of youth. This' is <i ease that might well be met by the imposition of ii small penalty. Walker was the M.C. present at the dance U> preserve law and order.''

Walker xvas tilled C:{ and was ordered by the magistrate to pay the expenses, which totalled 16/.