ACTED IN SELF DEFENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 13 January 1938, Page 8

ACTED IN SELF DEFENCE

CHARGE AGAINST UNION PRESIDENT DISMISSED BY MAGISTRATE lßy LVlegrapb—Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. "The evidence satisfies me that the action taken by Walsh was taken in an attempt to defend hmiself against an unprovoked assault by the other man,” said Mr Luxford, S.M., in dismissing a case in which F. P. Walsh, aged 41 years, union president, was charged with fighting with Leonard Cyril Ferguson. Mr Hay, for defendant, gave an explanation of the motive behind the incident. Walsh was president of the Seamen’s union he said, of which Ferguson was a member. At the time an inquiry by the union into the conduct of Ferguson was about to be held. Ferguson had been discharged from his ship at Newcastle and when being returned by the Awatea as a secondclass passenger was guilty of disgraceful conduct due to liquor. Official complaint had been made by the company and the conduct was of such a nature that the crew of the vessel had made out a report asking for an inquiry at the next stopwork meeting. This report was read. Walsh did not allow discussion, but allowed Ferguson to make a statement. On Christmas Eve Ferguson accosted Walsh and asked about the case. Walsh told him ! to come back on Tuesday, as Christmas | Eve was not the time to discuss such | matters. Ferguson became offensive and struck out and Walsh closed in in self-defence. After the case was dismissed information laid by Walsh against Ferguson was withdrawn by leave of the Court.