SURPRISE FOR STRANGER

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 6

SURPRISE FOR STRANGER

Receives Two Black Eyes Outside Eltham Dance Hall RELIEF WORKER CONVICTED “AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT”

“Understand that I am letting you off lightly, only because you thought your wife had been insulted,” said Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., at the Eltham Courthouse this morning in convicting John Keith Colman, Stratford, a young relief worker, on a charge of assault and ordering him to pay £2 as compensation to William Whalley, a young man, also of Stratford. The assault took place outside the Parish Hall, Eltham, late last night and it was revealed this morning that man understood Whalley to be dancing with his wife and not conducting himself as he should 'haA'e been. Colman, who pleaded guilty, was g.ivn 14 days in which to pay the £2. “Drink is usually the cause of trouble at dances,” said Mr WoodAvard. “An unpro\’oked assault like this is serious and you must understand that you cannot have these rows. ’ ’

■Constable Fleming in evidence stated that on a complaint by Whalley he had arrested Colman. From Colman’s story it appeared that he had been told by some people From Hawera that Wnalley AA’as dancing with his Avife and not conducting himself as he should. Colman liad inArited Whalley outside to speak to Kim and had then assaulted him. “Both Whalley’s eyes Avere blackened, and generally he received a pretty good trouncing,” said Constable Fleming.

Whalley appeared to be sober, but Colman showed definite signs of liquor. The police knew nothing against him End. Whailfey said that he had not seen Colman or his wife before.

In reply to Mr Woodward, Constable Fleming said that the disturbance took place just outside the hall. Mr Woodward: Well, Colman, what haA r e you to say?

Defendant: I am not saying anything. Mr Woothvard: Has the constable stated the facts correctly? Defendant: Yes.

iMr Woodward: Are you satisfied that the persons who told you that Whalley was misbehaving himself were Avrong ? Defendant: I found that out later. Colman said he had not apologised.

In giving evidence, Whalley displayed a pair of perfect black eyes. He had never seen Colman before, he said. Colman had tapped him on the shoulder during one dance and asked him to go outside. Here the assault took place. To Mr Woodward, Colman admitted that he had been drinking—but only a little. On relief work he was averaging 2Ss a Aveek and he had no money saved to pay a fine. “You will be convicted and ordered to pay £2, which under the pOAver of the Act, ican go to Whalley as compensation,” said Mr Woodward.