IN THE WRONG CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 7

IN THE WRONG CAMP.

PROHIBITION RALLY ROW. A PUBLICAN'S . ADVENTURE. " Nasty things are alleged to have been said, and deeds of violence -were stated to have been done at a prohibition meeting held in the Town Hall on November 30. Bat the remarks' and the actions referred to, as they were unfolded yesterday be,fore. Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the prosaic atmosphere of the Police Court, seemed to have lost all their seriousness, though they still retained some of their humour. Samuel Stewart (Mr. Dickson} and Frederick Francis Fabian, licensed victualler, of the Shamrock Hotel (Mr, Blakey), were charged that they caused a disturbance at the meeting in question. The two accused, it was stated, were Bitting near each other at the prohibition meeting. Community singing was in full swing. There came a song or hymn with prohibition wording, to the tune of the National Anthem, and the conductor asked the audience to rise for this. Fabian did not rise, arid Stewart resented this, and trouble arose between the two men. William Sharp said he heard the two men in argument, and he saw Fabian take hold of Stewart. They "got into clinches," and then it was all over. / In reply to counsel, witness said the whole audience stood, with the exception of Fabian and a lady with him. Fabian look hold of Stewart by the shoulder, and the latter fell on the floor. > Mr. Dickson: It was a storm in a teacup. . '■' ' William H. Hardy said he saw no blows pass between the two men. Frederick F. Fabian said he and -his ►wife stood up. for the first community singing. The song they did not stand up for was not the National Anthem, nor did he think it was to that tune. It was some of "the usual doggerel" they sang His wife was too tired to stand, and hundreds of others also sat down. Stewart said: "There is a big, fat publican sitting down." Witness took no notice, and Stewart then raised his voice, and "in raucous .tones" again made the objection, able remark. Witness put his hand on Stewart's shoulder to ask ihim to desist. Then Stewart swung round'and fell over. Stewart jumped up and struck witness twice, and witness showed the marks on his face to a police constable. He did not know the man. The magistrate dismissed \ the case against Stewart, but fined Fabian £1 and costs .....