EGYPTIANS AT VARIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18929, 29 January 1925, Page 12

EGYPTIANS AT VARIANCE.

AFFRAY ON A STEAMER. SEQUEL JN THE -COURT. A lively dispute between two Egyptian seamen on tho t steamer Radnor had a Sequel in the Police Court yesterday, when Mahanood Ismali Mustapha, aged 28, was charged with assaulting Mahamod Alls. Both are powerfully-built men and each gave a more or less incoherent account of the affray. Complainant said lie came ashore after arranging that his supper should be left for him. On his return he found accused about to devour it, and an argument ensued. Mustapha flourished a razor and then jumped on witness and bit him on the back. Witness expressed willingness to exhibit the injury. Accused interrupted, and said tho encounter pas not entirely one-sided. The biting had been mutual. He partly removed his shirt, and triumphantly drew the magistrate's attention to tooth marks on his chest. He also indicated a bite on .his arm. George Rivers and Dennis Sullivan, seamen on tho Radnor, who witnessed the affair, said complainant had accused Mustapha of taking his supper. Argument ensued, and Mustapha then threw Allc's supper overboard. The two Egyptians came to grips, and complainant bit accused. Mustapha. retaliated by seizing Alle by the shoulders, and biting him repeatedly on the back. Chief-Detective Cummings said accused was regarded as a good worker on the vessel. He had perhaps received some provocation and both men had been drinking. Accused was fined £5, and the magistrate ordered that £1 of the penalty should be paid to Alle.