DANCES DISTURBED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 14

DANCES DISTURBED.

FIVE YOUTHS CHARGED. FINES TOTAL SEVEN POUNDS. Disturbances at two dance halls had sequels in the Police Court yesterday, when five young men were prosecuted on summonses. "People in the country places who look forward to weekly reunions and Saturday night dances are entitled to have that pleasure, and it has come to a pretty pass if larrikins can fight and cause unpleasantness on such occasions," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Allegations of unseemly conduct were made against Albert Edward Butler and Ernest Frank Pratt, who wore charged with disorderly behaviour in Great North Road. According to the police, defendants went from Henderson to Swanson one evening recently, when a dance was being held at Swanson. Rivalry between the two townships apparently led lo some talk, in which Butler and Pratt wore involved. "The affair nearly developed into a free, fight in the street'near the dance hall," Sub-Inspector McCarthy said. A dance was one of the entertainments looked torward to bv the country folk, and it was shameful to think that it should be spoiled by the conduct of a few youths. In fining Butler and Pratt £2 each, the magistrate" said that he agreed with the sub-inspector. Why a. constable from the central police station had to he sent to Waiheko Island during the week-ends was explained when Alexander John Conway, Bernard Mooie and Frank Leopold Townsend, of Auckland, were charged with willully ticspassing iu the Surfdale Jlall during the progress of a public dance and after they had been warned by the secretary to leave the ball. After hearing the evidence the magistrate said he was satisfied that Conway was I lie chief offender, and that Townsend had behaved reasonably. Conway was fined £2 and Moore £l, while the count against Townsend was dismissed. Costs totalling £t> 12s were ordered to be shared by Conway and Moore.