SCENE IN A BAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 November 1923, Page 8

SCENE IN A BAR

=@»- COURT ACTION FOLLOWS. The sequel to a disturbance in the bar of the Cambridge Hotel on April 5 last was heard at the Wellington Supreme Court, when Richard Crooks of Kilbirnie, a rigger by occupation, proceeded against the licensee of the hotel, Patrick Corby, and the barman, William Burns, for £242 13s as damages. The case was heard by Mr. Justice MacGregor and a common jury of four. The statement of claim set out that on the date mentioned the plaintiff was in the bar of the hotel shortly before 6 o’clock. Burns, without requesting the plaintiff to leave the premises, forcibly took hold of the plaintiff, and with great force thrust him out of the bar of the hotel, breaking the little finger of the plaintiff’s left hand. Plaintiff was treated at the Hospital, but ultimately it was found necessary to amputate the finger. Plaintiff had suffered considerable pain and inconvenience as the result of the loss of the finger, and he claimed £B5 for loss of wages, £6 13s as hospital expenses, £1 as car fares, etc., and £l5O as general damages. The defence was a general denial of the allegations of the plaintiff, who, it. was stated, was unlawfully in the bar after the hour of closing, and demanded to be supplied with liquor for consumption off the premises. Burns several times requested plaintiff to leave the bar of the hotel, and ultimately turned him out of the bar, using only reasonable force. r rhe jury retired for 40 minutes, and returned with a verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. Entering of judgment wgs deferred.