SCENE AT ROMANO'S.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14465, 3 September 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

SCENE AT ROMANO'S.

QUARREL OYER PRIZE-FIGHT. AMUSING EVIDENCE. A wii.d scene at Romano's on the night of tho big American prize-tight provided some extraordinary evidence in a summons for assault at Bow-street. William Edward Doyle, jun., and a man named Gray, were summoned for assaulting Captain Richard William Longfield, late of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and now pioprietor and manager of the Irish Bloodstock Agency. The Court was crowded with peoplo well known in the theatrical and sporting worlds. With regard to the summons against Gray. Mr. Curtis Bennett, who appeared for the prosecution, asked that the summons be amended to the name of George Graves, the comedian. Mr. Arthur Newton, representing Mr. Graves, said that his client was in Court, and ho suggested that before tho case was gone into the complainant, should be asked to look round the Court to see if he could identify him. His instructions were that, an entire mistake had been made with V>gard to Mr. Graves. At the suggestion of the magistrate, Mr. Graves left the Court with a. number of other men and stood with them in the corridor for identification. The complainant went out a little later, and on returning into Court ho announced that he had been unable to pick out Mr. Graves. Mr. Curtis Bennett said that being so he would at onco withdraw the summons against Mr. Graves. " didn't want to mi:." A very serious assault, said counsel, had been committed on Captain l.ongfield, which had resulted in the fracture of his lower jaw, tho severing of an artery of his lower lip. and tho loss of three teeth. Going into Romano's restaurant at half-past eleven on July 4, the night of the prizelight, Captain Longtield saw a Mr. Leary, with whom he jiacl made a bet on tho result. While they were engaged in conversation the defendant Doyle remarked to the complainant, " I am willing to take your 1000 to 600 on Johnson." Captain Longtield refused, but eventually ho made a bet with Doyle of 100 to 60 on the black man. Describing the assault. Captain Longfield said someone shouted that the black had won. "That meant that Doyle owed me £60. Doyle turned round and said, ' We have had enough of you. Come on boys, Set's out him." There were six or eight sitting at his table. They all rose up spontaneously, like a flock of birds getting up out. of a field, and before I knew where 1 was 1 was hustled outside tho door into the passage. Two or three, or possibly four, held my arms behind me—it wasn't necessary, for my left arm is broken—and then Doyle took a pace back and delivered me a savageblow in the mouth. I ran out like a hare, being helped out by the. blows." Did anyone else strike you?— Several struck me over the head as 1 went. out. I said to Luigi, Are you going to see mo murdered by these thieves?" Ho was there jumping about like a monkey. Complainant, continuing his evidence, said that when ho got outside ho spent about 10s in sending boys for policemen. He was bleeding very much, and lie felt that ho was " ii]) against it." Mr. Curtis Bennett: I don't know whether I may explain that. Complainant : I have faced death several times. I felt I was facing death then, and I didn't want to die. When two policemen came I went to tho back entrance of Romano's, and got them to bring a settee out. I lay there for some time, but was unable to get into tho restaurant. REPROVED 1)Y MAGISTRATE. Counsel had previously asked : " Did you say anything else to Doyle?" to which Captain Longfield replied: I said "Rowson will settle for me,'' and ho got up and said, "That's a lie." Others joined in, and there was a good deal of talk, and I turned round—l admit, like a fooland said, " Anyhow, I have got an income." Somebody els.; said, "I must have a bet with you, but I want it 'ready.' " I said, "That's all right, Luigi knows 1 have got nearly a ' monkey' (£500) on me." Captain Longfield said that after dinner on Julv 4 he went to the Empire, and probably had a drink or two there. Doyle did not ask him to moderate his language because there wero ladies present. He did not abuse Doyle, or attempt to strike him. In answering the last question the complainant said, "I am not such a fool." Mr. Frampton : Is that, a specimen of the sort of language you are in the habit of using? Complainant was admonished by the magistrate, to whom life apologised. Captain Longtield denied that he had been turned out of the Empire. Ho was an honorary member of the Counties Club at Newmarket, but resigned. Ho was not told that otherwise he would be expelled. His name was taken off the books of the Cuvalrv Club for reasons that ho was prepared to go into. The hearing was adjourned.