“Defending Terrace End’s Honour” After Hours

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 98, 27 April 1937, Page 4

“Defending Terrace End’s Honour” After Hours

STRANGE TALE RELATED BEFORE MAGISTRATE. “I plead guilty, but not with evil intentions. I was there to defend the honour of tho people of Terrace End, of the proprietor of tho hotel, and of a Chinese woman,” This was the surprising reply of Royal Armatage Holmes, a traveller, when asked in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday how he pleaded to a charge of being on the premises of the Princess Hotel, in Main street, after hours. Constable O’Connell said that he inspected the hotel at a late hour on the night in question, and found Holmes in the bar. Questioned as to his reasoh for being there, Holmes replied that he was in the hotel to protect the women and children of the suburb from the Asiatic race. It appeared that he had hoard of a Chinese looking for a lady on the premises. His condition was extremely excited, and on the following morning, a Sunday, when he made a statement, he was little better. Constable A. J. Goodwin gave similar evidence. Instinct for Danger. Holmes said he was a very temperamental man, and excitement had a strong effect on him. On the night he was found in tho hotel, he went for a walk. In Main street he saw a ear parked near the hotel and, having an instinct for danger, his attention was at onco aroused. Gpiog to tho back of the hotel he saw a Chinese knocking at the door, and asked the latter what ho was doing. They went into tho car, where the Chinese, whose name was that of a Chinese whose acquaintance he had made in Masterton, told his business. He said he was looking for someone he believed was in the hoteJ, with tho result that defendant offered him an introduction to the proprietor. The Chineso spoke to the proprietor and shortly afterwards two women came up Main street. “They told the Chinese,” continued Holmes, “that the woman for whom he was looking was behind an outbuilding of the hotel. We went in to look for her, and the Chinese found her all right. I know that if the young bloods from a danco being held in an adjacent hall should get to hear of tho matter there would be trouble, so I went to look for the proprietor to tell him what had happened.” There tho tale seemed to end. Tho Magistrate, Mr J. L. Stout, imposed a fine of £2 on Holmes “for minding other people’s business.”