ASSAULT IN HOTEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 12

ASSAULT IN HOTEL

FREEZING DISPUTE SEQUEL

MAN THROWN ON TO STREET

OFFENDER FINED £5

Charges of having assaulted Ronald William Godfrey, a non-union labourer, at tho Westfiekl freezing works, using indecent language and of having attempted wrongfully to intimidato Godfrey were denied by Alfred George Whyo, a slaughterman, in the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday. Accused was represented by Mr. C. N. Jacobsen. Sergeant Rowell said that accused was an ex-employeo at Westfiold, having refused to accept the new conditions and wages at that works. Godfrey had been assaulted by Whyo in the Criterion Hotel on Saturday, November 12. There had been no provocation, Whyo having seized Godfrey and thrown him bodily out of tho hotel.

Godfrey said ho had been working at Westfield since tho presont dispute about wages occurred. 110 went into the hotel and soon after Whyo came up and asked him if he was working at Westfield, and said witness had no right to bo in the hotel. ''Whyo said 1 would get killed and after calling me a natno he took me by tho coat and threw mo out tho door," added witness.

Cross-examined, witness said ho had no drink and had made no insulting remarks about the strikers.

Counsel: Do you think it was a wise thing to go into tho hotel when strikers were present ? Tho Magistrate: Why shouldn't ho ? 110 has a perfect right to go there. Counsel; Admittedly, but it might bo unwise to flaunt himself as a free labourer before strikers.

Three witnesses called by tho police said they wished to amend their statements made previously. They had given incorrect statements at first as they did not wish to bo dragged into the case. They testified to Whye having said to Godfrey, "It isn't a fair 'pop' you chaps taking our jobs when wo are fighting for a principle," Godfrey had replied he would please himself and Whye then called the other an objectionable name. Godfrey had jumped up and after a short scufflo was thrown out tho door on to the street. Accused said ho did not use indecent language, nor did he assault Godfrey. He had merely pushed him through the door when ho thought Godfrey wag going to hit at him. lie understood that to be self-defence. He admitted he had been previously convioted for fighting but not for assault.

In entering a conviction tho magistrate said it appeared from tho evidence that this particular hotel was a rendezvous for strikers, and that no one but them were allowed in there.

Sergeant Rowell said the publicans of tho town had been warned that if they served free labourers their houses would be declared "black." Mr. Levien said he was satisfied that assault did take place and was absolutely unprovoked. "I don't know how the three witnesses will reconcile their attitude with their consciences," he added.

Whye was fined £5 on the assault charge, default being one month's imprisonment. He was allowed one month to pay. The other two informations were dismissed.