HOTEL PORTERS QUARREL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 11

HOTEL PORTERS QUARREL.

assault charge follows.

PAYMENT OF COSTS ORDERED

As a sequel to a quarrel between the two porters of a Devonport hotel, Peter Walter Tynan, aged 35, waa charged in tho Police Court yesterday with assaulting Mervyn Chapman, causing actual bodily harm. The charge was subsequently reduced to one of common assault. On behalf of accused Mr. Fraer pleaded not guilty. Chapman said that ho called lynan at 9.30 p.m., when the latter was to go on duty. Tynan did not appear, and about half an "hoiir later witfiess called him again. There was an argument, but no blows were struck until ten minutes later, when Tynan went into the pantry. Hero there was another argument, and Tynan struck witness, who ran. Uynan again struck him and there was a scuffle. Both struggled and fell, witness striking his head on a projecting ledge, 110 had been forced to obtain medical treatment, as ho wa3 dazed by striking the ledge, and the back of his head swelled. |J "It was a fair fight, was it not?" asked Mr. Fraer.

Chapman: It was not a fighfc at all, it was an unseemly brawl. Tynan said that be did not hear Chapman call him the first time, and when he went down to the pantry after 10 o'clock Chapman complained, stating that ho £ad intended to catch the 10 o'clock boat to town. Witness told him to go, but Chapman refused, attacking him. There was then a scufflo, in which Chapman struck his head. Accused was convicted and ordered to pay the total costs, with Chapman's medical expenses, amounting to £2 12s 6d, default being fixed at 14 days' imprisonment. A week was allowed in which to pay.