" WILD" WOOLSTON

NZ Truth, Issue 539, 16 October 1915, Page 7

" WILD " WOOLSTON

A " Scrap " Provides a Sensation

The Lo.cal Lamplighter Lashed

Jim Forron Fights and is Fined

(From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.)

According to a police prosecution which cropped up m the Chrlstchurch S.M't's Court, the sleepy little suburb of Wbolston has; broken the Ice of its habitual sonmoleseenoe and provided a bit of a sensation m the form of a dust-up between one Jim Ferron and the local lamplighter. Jim was charged with having unlawfully bogged into Lamplighter Tlmms on October 5. He volubly pleaded not guilty. John Henry Ttmms told the Court that on the evening m question, he was cyoling on his rounds and spotted Ferron misbehaving himself near a fence. John Henry tipped Jim the wink that ladies were coming, but Jim gave his adviser ■;..., A HOSTILE RETORT. Ten minutes later, John Henry had to climb a lamp post for the purpose of supplying illumination and, when he slithered down, he fell right into the arms of Perron, who was waiting below. Ferron wanted to know why the lamplighter bad "slung off" at him. and, when the answer w&s not satisfactory, ho sot out to administer some wallop. The twain got tangled somewhat and fell to the ground, Timms occupying the extreme northern position and Jim the southern. Whon the pair rolled over and Timms got underneath Ferron, Timms yelled for help, which was soon forthcoming. A youngster gave corroborative evidence, and went nap on Ferron having struck the flrst blow. Then a painter told tho S.M. how he had separated the couple and ultimately sent for the police, when Ferron proposed a round or two with him. ! Ferron denied having started the trouble. He said he was taken suddenly ill and had leaned against the fence while he "frowed up." Timms passed at the moment of Jim's misery, and called out, "Don't put your head through the fence, mate, you might have to pay for It" When Jim met him subsequently and remonstrated about TIMMS "SLINGING OFF," the latter made an objectionable remark and clouted Jim with his flat* and the lamplighting torch. Jim reckoned he wasn't drunk, although he had, a little while before, surrounded five shandies. The S.M. reckoned the assault had been proved. The expenses, however, were heavy, Tlmmn having been unable to work for some time, so that lnßteud of being fined. Jim would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on If he paid expenses amounting to £3 lls. He paid on the spot.