FRACAS AT DANCE

Evening Star, Issue 20167, 6 May 1929, Page 7

FRACAS AT DANCE

"PEACEMAKER" KNOCKED ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR AGGRESSOR In the Police Court this morning, before Mr H. VV. Bundle, S.M., Walter Thomas Heller, who was represented by Mr C. J. L. White, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting William Lees Stevenson. Dr Fitzsimmons said ho examined Stevenson on April 26 at the hospital, when ho was suffering from bruises round both eyes and on other parts ot the face. There was also a tenderness over the lower ribs on both sides.

Dr Borne, who examined the defendant,, said that he had an injury in the vicinity of the ribs, which was mors likely to have been caused by a kick than by a blow, but it might have been caused by his being knocked against a table. William Lees Stevenson said that on the evening before Anzac Day he attended a Tramway dance in the South Dunedin Town Hall, At the back ol the hall witness was standing with a man called Murdoch when the delendant camo up and, addressing Murdoch, made an offensive remark. Murdoch resented tho defendant’s demeanour, and the defendant put his hands 011 him. -Witness then stepped in to preserve peace, for ho was a tramway olficial and wished matters to go smoothly. Tho defendant hit him in the eyes with his lists. That ended the fight as far as ho was concerned, because ho was not expecting it. At ono part of it there were three ot them attacking him. When he was on tho floor ho was kicked by somebody. Who it was he did not know. As a result of tho injury he had been ott duty for a low days. To Mr White; The defendant had first of all asked for a drink. Witness denied that ho had kicked Holler, though he admitted he retaliated. Reginald Wilfred Murdoch also related the events leading up to tho trouble. Heller commenced “ pawing ” him, and witness pushed him away Stevenson then stepped in and Holier struck him. Stevenson Jut back To Mr White witness said tliat ho would swear Heller struck tho first blow.

John Arthur Morrison said he heard obscene language being used in tho anteroom, and he, being M.C. of the dance, went in. Just as ho walked in ho saw Holler strike Stevenson on the mouth. Stevenson was ‘standing with his hands by his side, and Heller stiuck him a number of blows. Witness told Heller to stop, but another man, who afterwards said ho was Heller’s brother, rushed out and struck him. He immediately called in some other men, and had the police summoned. Heller had several mates with him, and all adopted a bclligcrant attitude. Witness told them to leave the hall. To Mr White, witness said lie did not sec Stevenson strike Holler, but the fight continued until tho pohco arrived.

Christopher Keatch said ho was called by the previous witness, and on entering the anteroom a “ Donnybrook ” in progress. Ho saw Stevenson covered in blood. Witness caught hold of Heller and told him if he did not desist ho would be given in charge. While witness was holding Heller be received a blow on the jaw from another man

Constable Watkins, who had been summoned to the hall, said that when ho saw Stevenson he was so badly knocked about that ho did not recognise him. The defendant gave the name of Campbell, and was anxious, to get Stevenson to fix it up with him, saying that ho (defendant) would pay Stevenson expenses and loss of work. The defendant was not drunk, and he spelled no liquor on Stevenson. Walter Thomas Heller said ho went to the dance with a man named Fulcher, and while there went into the anteroom. Somebody said “Shut tho door,” and inside lie saw Stevenson and others having a drink. Murdoch went to shut the door in his face, hut witness pushed his way in. Murdoch then gave him a push, and witness pushed him back. Stevenson, who seemed to bo half-drunk, and who was mumbling to himself came up and struck witness in the face. Stevenson kicked him, but witness fought fairly. When witness was on the ground bo received a kick over the heart. He did not go into the place with the intention of fighting. Henry Robert Fulcher said be was in the room with a number of others, and he hold Heller to close the door. Murdoch prevented him from doing so. Each pushed the other, and then Stevenson stopped in. Witness saw a. list and a boot shoot out,-and Heller went down. WJii’o- Heller was on the ground witness saw him kicke<;._ Heller then got up and “got stuck into” Stevenson, giving him tho black eyes. Joseph Daniel Laft'erty. James Charles Mort, and William Alexander M'Lean also gave evidence on accused’s behalf.

His Worship said there was no doubt that the statements of Stevenson and Murdoch wore substantially correct, and that tho defendant had intevfcred. Sub-inspector Cummings said that tho record of defendant was far from satisfactory, and he had been identified as a member of a gang called “The Chicago Toughs,” Ho went to dances with the intention of finding trouble, and appeared to bo never satisfied unless there was a free fight. The dancing season was on, and people should have protection. Mr White repudiated the idea of the defendant’s association with any gang. Ho was only nineteen years of age, although he looked older, and he was a seaman who was not often living ashore. Tho Magistrate stated that people dancing should not have their pleasure spoiled by interferences and disturbances of this nature. Tho defendant would be sentenced to two j months’ imprisonment.