THREATS IN A TAXI

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 110, 5 April 1930, Page 9

THREATS IN A TAXI

BILLIARD PLAYERS’ DISPUTE. McCONACHY BOUND OVER. STATEMENTS IN COURT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright, y Received April 5, 10.15 a.m. LONDON, April 4. McConachy, who was summoned by Willie Smith for using threats, was bound over until April 10, when he will leave England, and was ordered to pay costs. The assault summons was dismissed. Counsel for Smith declared that McConachy complained on March 24 that the balls had not been weighed. Counsel pointed out that it was McConachy’s fault, as he had arrived late. McConachy subsequently made other complaints about the table, and also declared that his ball was flawed and that he was playing under a disadvantage. The referee and manager examined the balls and decided that thd complaint was not justified. As McConachy insisted. Smith agreed to use the ball himself. Later, the New Zealander alleged that the balls were not a neutral set. Smith agreed to go' out and' weigh them.' The players and the referee engaged a taxi, in which McConachy, in a vile temper, repeated the allegations. Smith replied: “It is a lie.”. McConachy stood up ana, m a threatening fashion, cried: “I’ll knock your head off ” Smith shouted to the driver to stop, whereupon McConachy knocked him back in the seat. “I will kill you before I leave Manchester!” shouted McConachy, and when the referee attempted to pacify him he added: “Yes, and you as well.” McConachy’s counsel declared that McConachy simply leaned forward in the taxi and pushed Smith < back in the seat. The words, if uttered, were only terms of abuse. Smith had acted childishly in calling the police. McConachy said he had evidently put his hands on Smith’s chest. The referee caught his arm, and as there were two against him he threatened to clean both up. He thought that the balls were of the same weight, but different in size, thus justifying his complaint. Counsel said that McConachy’s suggestion that the balls were not neutral was tantamount to a charge against Smith, or the officials, of dishonesty or trickery. When in the taxi McConachy repeated to Smith: “They are your own set.” In the course of the cross-examina-tion, McConachy denied that lie had had a row with the ship’s captain on the voyage from Australia. “It is very regrettable that such a case was brought before the Court." It is a pity it was not settled privately, as such a dispute between two such eminent players does not add to the prestige of. English sport,” said the Magistrate.