CONCERT DISTURBED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 22

CONCERT DISTURBED

Usher Attacked by Youth A sequel to a Sunday night’s concert by tho Port Nicholson Band at the De Luxe Theatre on June 10 was heayd in the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday, when two young men, Robert William Hutchinson and Charles James Smith were ciilirged before Mr. E. Page, S.liL, with acting in a disorderly mariner. Although they pleaded not guilty, they were each fined £4 and'costs, the magistrate remarking: "You young men must learn to behave yourselves when you go to a public entertainment.” One of the ushers at the theatre, Robert Rose, said practically all the crowd in the back- row were “kicking up a disturbance.” Hutchinson was warned, and all was quiet for a while until another item came on, when Hutchinson passed a remark about 4 singer. When requested, Jlutchingon left the hall, and when he' got to the intier door he “made a bolt for it.”Witness said be ran after Huteh|nson, who -struck him. Ernest Ormrod said he left, the ptago to go to the back of the hall to gee what the disturbance He watched the antics of a group in the back row, and particularly those of Hutchinson, who seemed to be the ringleader- When he was asking Hutchinson for his name outside the theatre, Smith came up from behind and struck him (witness) in the mouth. . Meanwhile Hutchinson “bolted.” Witness said he was followed to the door of the theatre by Smith, who deliberately pushed witness’s bead through it, shattering the glass, and inflicting cuts in the head. In describing the ilffair inside the theatre. William James Spittai said: "A very -nice singer came on, bill there are some people who are not able to appreciate a good singer, so they commenced to make a noise with the seats.” He said 'that outside the theatre he saw a- man jump on Ormrod and push ills head through the glass. "It was absolutely a cowardly attack," witness said. In a statement made by Hutchinson, and read by a constable, it was alleged that t|iree men tried (Q force him Into the office, and them hit him liehind the ear. At’cbhling to the statement Hutchinsoii’hiid retaliated.