ASSAULT AT ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 July 1925, Page 6

ASSAULT AT ELTHAM.

MAYOR STRUCK. AGGRESSOR CONVICTED. As a result of ail incident which happened in Bridge Street, Eltliam, near the Post Office, in which Ira James Bridger, Mayor of that town, was struck by Gerald Henry Patterson Fitzgerald, both appeared in the Ettliam Court yesterday, before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., the latter being charged by the police for assault on Bridger, who also appeared to answer an information of a similar nature laid by Fitzgerald. The case, which was outlined by the police and supported by evidence by Bridger, was briefly that about 1.80 p.m. on June 19 Bridger and J. W. Stubbs were in conversation near the post office steps, and Fitzgerald was standing on the steps. Apparently the latter took exception to something that was said, and entered the conversation with the remark: “Sort of Ku Klux Klan propaganda,” at which Bridger immediately retorted, “I suppose that is the sort of stuff you send out.” Fitzgerald then sprang off the steps and grabbed Bridger- by the arms, wno told him not to be an ass. Fitzgerald then struck Bridger a fairly hard blow on the face and entered the post office. Bridger followed him in and suggested that jf Fitzgerald wished to do anyfarther lie should accompany him to some quiet place. Mr. A. A. Stewart who appeared on behalf of Fitzgerald, addressed the court on his client's behalf. He stated that on the day in question Fitzgerald was drawn into the conversation by some remarks concerning returned soldiers, placing them on a par with Bolsheviks, Communists, and other disloyal organisations. Naturally he was annoyed and left the steps of the post office with hands raised in protest. Fitzgerald, in the box, said he mentioned to Bridger that a man from outside the town told him that lie had received a- letter from Bridger which contained real Ku Klux Klan propaganda. which Bridger answered with pointed . remarks about returned soldiers and Bolsheviks, concluding with. “I do not care for the opinion of a disloyalist.” During the scuffle that followed Bridger urged him several times to “come round the back” and fight it out. Stubb s gave evidence during the hearing to the effect that Fitzgerald was the aggressor. The Magistrate said he thought that as Stubbs was the only disinterested person he should be believed. The counter-charge laid by Fitzgerald was dismissed, and on the other charge Fitzgerald was convicted and fined £1 and cost s 7s.