POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 17792, 14 October 1921, Page 6

POLICE COURT

Friday, October 14. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) TROUBLE AT A DANCE. “ A chap named Smith, who is now in Wellington, told mo that Yeadon had made insulting remarks about my wife. I challenged Yeadon, and ho denied it. I said ho was a liar. Ho said: ‘To with you,’ and I hit him twice. That’s the wholo story of it. your Worship.” Thus William John Thomas M'lntosh, a nuggety young fellow, who was charged with unlawfully assaulting Harry Yeadon. Tho trouble arose at a dance in tho George Street School Hall on September 13. Complainant, a photographer, said that both defendant and his wife were unknown to him prior to the evening in question. He had danced with Mrs M'lntosh, and shortly afterwards defendant called Kim over and said: “ I was in tho dressing room just now, and heard you say yon took a girl out who couldn't dance, and you taught her to dance.” Defendant began using bad language, and witness said: “Go easy on the language. There are girls alongside you.” Witness then looked away, and > defendant struck him several times, saying: “ That’s my wife you wore speaking of.” Witness had only partial uso of one arm, and was so dazed by tho blows that ho could not retaliate. His nose was broken, and ho had to seek medical aid.

In reply to defendant, witness denied that ho had said “I struck a dud partner and made the dunco my way.”

Tho Magistrate; Did you hear Yeaclon say that? Defendant; No, a chap from Wellington who was in tho room told mo, James Alexander Galbraith (hairdresser) and Donald Simpson (blacksmith and organiser of tho dance) also gave evidence. Defendant having given his short explanation, added that ho was not aware that Yeaclon had only ono good arm. Ho had written Smith for support of his statement, hut no reply had como to hand. The Magistrate: Even if it had been proved that Yeaclon made tho remark attributed to him, defendant would not have been justified in dealing with tho matter ns ho did. As it 'is, Yeadon denies using the expression, and I must treat tho" assault as an unprovoked one. Defendant will bo convicted and fined £4, with witnesses’ expenses (30s), with tho alternative of ono month’s imprisonment with hard labor, half tho fine to go to the assaulted man. DEMANDED.

Arthur Dominic Plunkett alias Patrick M‘Evoy was charged on remand with haring forged a deed of mortgage purporting to bu signed by Patrick M’Evoy and Mary Ann M'Evoy;—Chief-detective Bishop asked for a further remand till Friday next, and this was granted. DODGING DRILL. Stanley Pringle, Cyril James Haddington, Harry Joseph Temple, and Adolph Kanin —all youths—were convicted- on charges of failing to attend drill, and ordered to pay costs (7s each). THE LICENSING ACT. Thomas Quirk, for whom Mr A, C. Hamlon appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of sending eighteen quarts of beer into the no-liconso district of Bruce without sending proper notice to the clerk of the court at Lawrence.-Sub-inspector Willis said the defendant sent the notice to Balclutha instead of to Lawrence, as he thought Balclutha was the nearest court to Stirling, whore the liquor was consigned—A fine of 10s, with costs (7s), was imposed. MAINTENANCE, For failing to comply with the terms of an order for the support of his wife James Arthur Martin was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor, the warrant to bo suspended on payment of arrears, amounting to £5 2s.