TIMARU WATERSIDERS AN ASSAULT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 3

TIMARU WATERSIDERS AN ASSAULT.

(BI TELEGRAPH -TRUSS ASSOCIATION.) TIMARU, '28th March. .At the Magistrate's Court to-day a dispute that led to an assault by watersiders on the secretary of the union was enquired into. Malcolm M'Leod, the complainant, stated that Archibald Hall (one of the Federationist strikers who recently paid the lee for entrance to the new union) went into his (the secretary's) office on Friday morning, used disgusting language, and snatched the, office keys and a receiptbook. On the complainant trying to prevent him doing so, a rough scuffle ensued, Hall retaining the keys. The secretary _ held that Hall was not financial, having only paid the entrance fee. Hall considered he was, and claimed the right to see the books, and as much right as M'Leod to have the keys, as he held that M'Leod was not legally appointed secretary. He admitted a slight assault. His _ Worship said he regretted that such ill-feeling^ existed, and advised Hall that there was a legal way of asserting any rights he claimed. Hall continuing to claim the keys, His Worship said that it he did so the case must go to another Court on committal for trial by a jury. The keys were then handed to M'Leod. The Magistrate said ho hoped this would be the last of the matter. He ordered the defendant to pay costs and solicitor's ioi, deeming the assault not serious tnough to enter a conviction.