FIGHT IN SELF-DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22936, 14 January 1938, Page 14

FIGHT IN SELF-DEFENCE

UNION PRESIDENT CHARGED COURT DISMISSES CASE [BY TELEGItAI'H —PIIESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday "The evidence satisfies me that the action taken by Walsh was taken in an attempt to defend himself against an unprovoked assault by the other inan," said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in dismissing the case in which F. P. Walsh, aged 41, union president, was charged with fighting with Leonard Cyril Ferguson. Mr. Hay, for the defendant, gave an explanation of the motive behind the incident. Walsh was the president of the Seamen's Union, he said, of which Ferguson was a member. At the time an inquiry by the union into the conduct of Ferguson was about to be held. Ferguson had been discharged from hid ship at Newcastle, and when being returned by the Awatoa as a second-class passenger was allegedly guilty of disgraceful conduct, duo to liquor. An official complaint had been made by the company, and the conduct was of such a nature that the crew of tho vessel had made out a report asking for an inquiry. At the next stopwork meeting this report was read. Walsh did not allow a discussion, but allowed Ferguson to make a statement. On Christmas Eve Ferguson accosted Walsh and asked about the case. Walsh told him to come back on Tuesday, as Christmas Eve was not a time to dipcuss such matters. Ferguson became offensive and struck out, and Walsh closed with him in self-defence. After the case had been dismissed nn information laid by Walsh against Ferguson was withdrawn by leave of the Court.