FRACAS IN A THEATRE

NZ Truth, Issue 685, 27 July 1918, Page 2

FRACAS IN A THEATRE

+ Bad Byrne Boobed And He Had the "Hoot" On Him When John Elwyn Byrne was presented at the Wellington Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday last,' ho was introduced by Inspector Marsack to the Vice -regal representative, Mr. F. V. Frazer, with the expression: "This was a most cowardly and blackguardly assault." His sponsor then proceeded to detail the circumstances. John Elwyn, m February last, had gone into Our Theatre, at Newtown, and, side-step- I ping the ticket-taker, had fled upstairs I without holding the necessary. The elderly, gentleman who GATHERS IN THE "BRIEFS" pursued him upstairs, but on demanding John Elwyn's ticket he was greeted with a smack on the jaw. The tickettaker countered with a kick, and John Elwyn then grappled with, him and tossed him down the stairs, incidentally breaking .one of his teeth. The girl m the ticket- box intervened, and John j Elwyn threw her some lurid language. } Then the manager arrived and was i also treated to some graphic and glow- I ing illustrations of English as she is i spoke, after which the offender lit out for the front of the theatre, hopped into a taxi and disappeared over the horizon like Mark Twain's dog, who had been investigating a hive of bees. And the place wherein he dwelt knew him no more till the implacable sleuth hooked him after five months' patient i wait and haled him to court. ' Jolui, when, .asked to explain his conduct, pleaded what appeared to "be T • Guilt ytflot T &nilty.Y, «!P, would . iiot attempt ,to hi,tv / an ( v,,ma^ like thajt,.'.' lip,, •f*. Ift1 fto r jvjsh..an ; air, o.f ; .injured jnno^e.nee,,, I ir&ave^tqqjrnuch respect fpr ' n^yi father." *tn.ft mp.th.ov,; I. just .pas'secL.him,, L.was ■.only goins upstairs t.o see a friend.! 1 , ,' r .'.' .{ i -/.Che „ girl : m.- the UqkeU.box,,/ giving ' evidence., said ..that so far as she.fiould tell -accused was sobei\ Accused: I was drunk; very drunk. Magistrate Frazer: Well, if you'll do that sort of thing when you're drunk goodness knows what you'll do when you're sober. You'll be convicted and fined £6, m default of distress Inspector' Marsack: That's alright, : your Worship, i HE HAD £5G ON HIM when arrested. Magistrate Frazer: I'm sorry I did i not know that; I'd have made the ! fine heavier. Anyway, £6 or fourteen days' imprisonment, half the fine to go to the ticket-taker, and accused will pay 18s witnesses' expenses. '