TOO MUCH DRINK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3106, 15 April 1942, Page 5

TOO MUCH DRINK

SATURDAY NIGHT DANCES CONSTABLE’S CRITICISM SOLDIER HOME ON LEAVE FINED Severe criticism of the manner in which Saturday night dances have been conducted at Paeroa and at Hikutaia was expressed in the Paeroa Police Court on Tuesday afternoon by Constable J. L. Brown, when a soldier, William Harold Morrison, of Hikutaia, home on nine days’ leave, was charged with being in possession of liquor near 'the Civic Hall, Paeroa, while a dance was in progress on Saturday night, with wilfully oibstructing Constables J. L. Brown and H. E. Hollinshead in the execution of their duty, with resisting arrest and with assaulting Constable J. L. Brown in the execution of his duty. Messrs W. F. North and P. Williams Snr., were on the bench. Mr C. N. O’Neill appeared for Morrison who pleaded guilty to all charges. Constable Brown in opening the case stated that the police had experienced a considerable amount of trouble from drinking at dances and it was becoming a curse. 'Since the legislation had been brought in 23 offences had been reported in the Paeroa district as the result of drinking at dances and the trouble was not getting any better. Could Be Improved

In the Paeroa area he added there were two Saturday night dances which could be improved, one at Paeroa and the other at Hikutaia. These functions run from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. without any refreshments being provided and as dancing was hot work those going to the function took liquor and had to go out for their supper.

“It is disgraceful that a dance should be held without refreshments of the right type being provided. These functions are run merely to make money and not for the pleasure of the young people,” contended Constable Brown. He added that in his opinion the principle was wrong.

“There is too much drinking going on all over the town as a result of these dances. They do not now drink near the hall,” he stated. On Saturday night, at about 11.10 continued Constable Brown, while on duty near the Civic Hall with Constable Hollinshead they had heard a noisy group of young men in Francis street. They had approached the group and seen that they were drinking from a bottle but unfortunately he and Constable Hollinshead were not in a position to go up to the group and had to retrace their steps and when they approached down the street they were seen by the party all of whom made off except for defendant and a civilian who ran behind some cars. Beer Found In Grass We found a full bottle of beer in the grass near one of the cars, added 'Constable Brown and it was at this stage that defendant called out: “Put that beer down” and advanced in a threatening manner.

However, we were able to calm defendant down but he demanded to see the police warrant. Next he dared us in a very threatening mannei' to examine the cars. While we were endeavouring to interview the civilian defendant kept on interrupting and we had to arrest him to proceed in our duty. He resisted arrest so strongly that we could not take him to the Police Station in a car and had to walk him there, defendant resisting all the way. When entering the Police Station gate defendant struggled suddenly and we all fell to the ground and in the ensuing struggle Constable Brown was badly kicked on the arm. Finally defendant got to his- feet and ran down the road and although the police gave chase got away. Defendant, concluded Constable Brown, had not been before the police before and bore a good character. He had just started nine days’ leave from camp that Saturday. Mr C. N. O’Neill said that defendant realised now that the scuffle had been a serious matter. The trouble had arisen as the result of a misapprehension. Morrison thought when the police picked up the bottle that they were going to put the bottle into the car and get evidence on the .civilian. He admitted he looked aggressive. Smarted Under Injustice When he was arrested Morrison thought he was -being arrested for being drunk which he was not. He •smarted under what he considered was an injustice. Mr O’Neill expressed remorse on behalf of the defendant who had asked him to apologise for what he had -done.

Actually defendant was of a high

character, a good footballer and had conducted himself in camp with credit.

In conclusion Mr O’Neill explained that all arose out of a series of misapprehensions. Morrison was trying to shield a civilian friend and secondly defendant was smarting under what he thought was an injustice beingarrested for being drunk when he was not.

On the first charge of -being in possession of liquor Morrison was fined £2, on the second charge of obstructing the police he was fined £5 and on the other two charges he was convicted and discharged.