"PLAY US THE CAKE WALK!"

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1914, Page 2

"PLAY US THE CAKE WALK!"

MUSICAL CRITIC WHO WENT TOO FAR. THE SEQUEL" IN COURT. ■ It i& seldom that a musical critic resorts to fisticuffs in order to impress his opinion upon the performer. On Wednesday last at Lower Hutt two men named Samuel Henry Carter and Benjamin N. Campbell chanced to meet at an hotel, and the proposition that they should have a "sing-eong" being favourably received^ they went in search of a -piano. The instrument they found 'had left its palmy days behind, and, despite a, great deal of coaxing, it refused to respond at all satisfactorily to tile touch of the musician. Hope lay in the direction'of another hotel, but the piano there "was Hot for hire. Not to be defeated in their object the two decided to try the local Town Hall: and here at last they were , accommodated. In response to Campbell's request, Cartel- proceeded to play .a. ca.ke Avalk. and it was at' this juncture that, player and critic came to grips, The latter asserted that Carter could not play at all ; there was a brief argument, and the piaaiist found himself Jying on the floor. Then a chase ensued, during which several blows were administered by Campbell. This little episode had its sequel in the Lower Hutt Court yesterday, when, bof&re Messrs. Chapman, and Cudby, J.P.'e, Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting Carter. The Fatter, who described himself as a, canvasser, strenuously denied that he had given any provocation either by word or deed. He had been considerably knocked about by t-ho accused, the injuries including broken teeth. Thi6 evidence was corroborated by another Witness, who said that Campbell had asked Carter to play the cake walk. There had been jio trouble up to then. Campbell, he thought, was the worse for drink at the time. Constable Holmes asked the Justices to teach Campbell a. lesson. He was in the habit of assaulting inoffensive people without any provocation whatever. Accused had been previously convicted of theft and of using obscene language. In his evidence, Campbell said that he was drunk at the time. When the worse for liquor lie was very irritable. Ho asked that a prohibition order be issued against him. In convicting the- accused, Mr. Chapman said that the Bench would on this occasion take a lenient view of the caee If brought before the Court again Camppell would not be given the option of a fine. A penalty ni £5, with costs amounting to £1 8s 4d, was imposed, default being fixed at one month's imprisonment. A prohibition order was granted.