A PRETTY MIX-UP.

NZ Truth, Issue 94, 6 April 1907, Page 6

A PRETTY MIX-UP.

Hullaballoo m HerefoH-street.

• There was a bit of a turn-up m • Hereford Street, Christchurch, t'other afternoon when burly Wrestler Thornley, and Financial agent Bridgeman, who preferred moneylending to public-house-keeping when he left the foorce, started banging each other about. It was a wholly unprovoked business on Thornley 'a part, and it was pretty sudden, too. It appears that Ihornley bad called on Bridgjeman, and asked him for some spondulix, but as he had no security about his pockets no busi-

ness was done. Bridgeman, however, stood Thornley a drink, and shortly afterwards he was standing talking to Tec. Bishop and Acting-Tec. Jas. Kennedy, when Thornley came up and made use of a very indecent phrase to Bridgeman, who promptly knocked him down. Thornly retaliated, and belted Bridgeman on the peeper, discoloring that optic sorne^what. While Bridgeman was on the ground Thornley is alleged to have struck him cowardly blows on the face. That is Acting-Tec Kennedy's yarn, anyhow, although one wouldn't think a trained athlete would do such a thing. Kennedy is said to have got m a little on his own account, but he swears that he only pushed Thornley away because he thought he was about to kick Bridgeman. Tec. Bishop rushed m, and the whole round only lasted -a minute. Thornley was arrested for fighting and obscene language, and Bridgeman surrendered himself at the station a little the worse for wear. Details o$ the shindy were narrated at Court nexjte day, w-hein Lawyer Wilding described Thornley as ai peaceable, law-abiding, ouiet man. However, he came to town and got into bad company, and had a wine or two, the result being that he made a fool of himself. Bridgeman admitted .that he struck the first blow, but said the provocation was very great. Thornley had called him a j.iisgiusfein'g name without rhyme or reason. But you shouldn't take the law into your own hands, said Mr. Day, •S.M. What would Your Worship do if he were called such a name?" asked defendant. . t I don't know. I might do something I'd be sorry for afterwards. Thornley was fined £4 for indecent language, the other charge being dismissed. Bridgeman was fined a quid.