FINED FOR ASSAULT

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1943, Page 3

FINED FOR ASSAULT

HO KITIKA' ’DROME INCIDENT

On a charge of assaulting James Cuthbert Mercer, Arthur Cuthbert Baines appeared in the Magistrate’s Court at Hokitika yesterday. In evidence, Mercer said that he was at the airport at Hokitika on Tuesday at 9.15 a.m., when Flight Lieutenant Baines, who was on loan to Air Travel (N.Z.), Limited, but whose employment terminated the previous day, approached him in the workshop and used filthy language to 'him. at the same time striking him with his fist in the right eye. George William Ross King, storeman employed by Air Travel (N.Z.), Limited, stated he was on duty at the aerodrome and was talking to Caplain Mercer when Flight Lieutenant Baines came into the workshop and accused Captain Mercer of having arranged for his transfer back to the z\ir Force. With that, said witness, Baines hit Mercer with his fist. Caplain Mercer had showed no signs of retaliation.

Thomas Gordon Harris, a mechanic employed by Air Travel (N.Z.), Limited, stated that he was working on a ‘lathe when Baines arrived at the 'aerodrome on Tuesday morning. He saw Baines in a fighting attitude, but did not see any blows struck. Baines stated that ho had received no notice of his transfer back to the Air Force. The only notice was a memo, from Captain Mercer. On going to the aerodrome to see Mercer he" might have become a bit heated, and in the course of an argument struck Mercer in self-defence, as Mercer had threatened him with a manifold. He did not go to the aerodrome looking for trouble. The Magistrate said it was a very regrettable incident, but he had no doubt defendant went to the aerodrome in a temper, and it was, therefore. most likely that he was the aggressor. Fie would convict Baines and fine him £3.