TROUBLE IN RESTAURANT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 929, 30 January 1924, Page 4

TROUBLE IN RESTAURANT.

man with plenty of money.

AN INCIDENT AT STRATFORD. SRATFORD, Jan. 28. The effio of a restaurant brawl in Stratford, in which it was alleged that a quiet diner was assaulted by an acquaintance, who dsplayed a “wad’ of money and suggested tossing for payment of the meal occupied the attention of Mr A. M. Mowlem, S M at the Stratford Court this afternoon. A charge of assaulting William Bruce llaylock was lodged by the police against Allan Rickleben. . The evidence given by the two men differed widely, ifaylock nssertmg that he was having a peaceful tea in a restaurant when Rickleben sat down on the opposite side of the table and offered to toss to see who should pay for the meal. Haylock declined, and Rickleben then placed a £5 note on the table and asked witness to cover it. Rickleben seemed to think witness was going to touch the note, fer he angrily exclaimed “Don’t you touch any of my money,” and immediately lent over the table "and struck witness in the face, breaking his spectacles. Rickleben was obviously the worse for drink at the time, but later he approached witness twice in an endeavour to have the matter “squared,” and had offered to pav for the damage. Rickleben, on the other hand, denied any assault. He admitted having had “a few spots,” but remembered the circumstances ctearlv. He had entered the restaurant in company with two friends, but as he had already dinod he left them to their meal and aat down at liaylock's table. He was acquainted with Haylock, and, apprehending no disturbance, commenced to straighten up a bundle of notes. Apparently for a joke, Haylock took one of the notes and would not immediately return it; in. fact, be appeared to be placing the note in his pocket. Owing to liaylock’s reluctance to hand over tfie note Rickleben grabbed for it und in tho struggle the spectacles were broken. He had offered to pay 10s towards repairing the spectacles, as he had plenty of money about him at the time. .... The magistrate based his decision upon the offer made by Rickleben to pay for the glasses. “No man,” he said, “would offer payment for damage caused in an attempt to recover his own property wrongfully nela by another.” A fine of £2 was inflicted, with costs totalling £1 11s.