A DRUNKEN BRAWL

Evening Star, Issue 19055, 25 September 1925, Page 6

A DRUNKEN BRAWL

ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED

“DESERVED ALL HE GOT.” A sordid story of a day of drinking, a scuffle and a fall that landed one ot the participants in the hospital, was revealed wnon Alexander Smith was charged in the Police Court this morn ing before Mr Bundle, 8.M., with having assaulted Edward Ryan, Mr A. C Hanlon appeared for the accused. The assaulted man, a laborer, sab' that on September 16 he met the accused at the Rugby Hotel and had drinks with him. The accused was then slightly the worse for drink. Later in the day ho saw him again, and he was talking fight with Syrians, and witness tried to pacify him. Accused was excited, and said ho was “just in tho humor to clean somebody up.” The same evening witness called at Smith's house and knocked at tho door. Smith opened the door, but did nor seem to recognise him, and tho first thing witness knew was that he had received “ a clout ” that knocked him down. To Mr Hanlon, witness said ho was not so drunk that he did not know what he was doing that day. Ho denied that he had been in the habit of taking drink to Smith’s house, even when only the latter’s wife was there. Ho had, however, drunk his share on occasions of beer supplied by Smith. Smith’s wife’s brother was married to witness’s wife’s sister. Mr Hanlon: "What relation does that mako her to you? Witness rather thought that there was no relationship, ije had merely called at the house that day, he said, because he was going away next morning to Balclutha. Christina Hannah, speaking in broken English, said that she saw Smith push Ryan out of the door. Ryan foil, and witness sent'for the police. To. Mr Hanlon: Ryan was in the habit oi carrying drink to Smith’s place all day; sometimes to tho wife when Smith was not there. She thought both men were drunk on the day in question. Constable Miller having given formal evidence, Mr Hanlon submitted > that there had been iro assault committed. Ryan had been humbugging about the place with drink, and been pushed away from the door. If there had been an assault it was merely a technical one.

The Magistrate said it was clear both men had been in an advanced state of drunkenness, and Ryan probably deserved all ho got. The charge would bo dismissed subject to payment by Smith of witnesses’ expenses (20s), and ambulance leo (10s).