BOTHER IN A BAR

NZ Truth, Issue 604, 13 January 1917, Page 6

BOTHER IN A BAR

— » . ' . .. A Soldier Swears Some And Lashes at Linton Magistsato Bishop Says a Few Words (From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) When George Linton told a brawny great soldier, the other day, that it was bad manners to curse and swear at a barmaid, the khaki-clad 'ero promptly spread him out on Joey MandePs saloon bar linoleum, and then did the right about turn m time to be somewhere else when the police came. That's w<hat PLUCKY LITTLE LINTON caught for being chivalrous, although he had the smile next morning when the police emptied the warrior out at the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. (Bishop, S.M, and charged him with assault. The soldier fellow, who was labelled Thomas Reid and embellished with an alias, pleaded guilty under provocation. The S.M.: What was the. pro vocation? — 'Well, I went to the United Service with another man to have a drink and this young fellow chipped m. The police said that Reid wanted a drink, and when the barmaid refused to serve him on account of a previous experience she had had of his lurid way of expressing himself, he reviled her with filthy language, and Linton, who waa In the bar, approached him and said it wasn't right for him to speak to "the girl m such a manner. Reid at onco hauled off and hit Linton on the mouth, breaking three of his te<«.th and rendering him unconscious. It would cost 15s to replace the teeth. The barmaid gave evidence on the lines indicated, and added that Linton did not strike or attempt to strike the soldier. / Reid: The young fellow took me up wrongly, sir. / The S.M.: On hearing you use such language to the girl, he did only what any decent fellow would do. Some fellows seem to think that because they are In uniform they CAN DO WHAT THEY LIKE. It was quite, right that your behavior was resented. After the accused had endeavored to explain that he wasn't »uch a bad sort of a fellow, the S.M. continued: "Seeing that hla leave 1» up to-day, I don't feel disposed to punish him with a fine, neither do I feel disposed to let him be at large. He's Just looking for trouble and U sure to llnd it if he's allowed out. Therefore, I convict him and order that the police hand him over to tho military ■authorities. He will also be ordered to pay IDs for the damage he «li<l to iho other man's teeth. It's only right that ho should pay" that.