Porter At The Pub

NZ Truth, Issue 943, 22 December 1923, Page 6

Porter At The Pub

OLDEST INHABITANT STUNT. (From "Truth's" Wanganui Rep.) Wangaehu over <50 years ago was a place of note, and -was one of the main stopping places m the days of wagons travelling, up and down the West Coast. At the present time it is Just about marked on the map and sports a>pub, the latter being a relic of the early dayra. and; beyond being a farming community, that is practically all there is to say about it, Wangaehu, however, sported a little sensation on Us ' own account tho other day, which resulted m about half its hayseed population spending a day m Wanganui m the vicinity of the Court. It all, happened m a simplo sort of way as most disturbances m a rustic community do. The setting was the wayside pub bar, and the star actors were William Charles Porter, who had recently opened a store m the locality, and Edward Green, 'a cockie. Ted wandered into the . I WANGAEHU PUBBERY to quench his throat, found Porter and a few pals also m seah;h of refreshment. After a round or • two of the best Porter took the^ credit upon himself of being the pioneer storekeeper m the hamlet. Ted, . who had lived there about 50 summers, told Porter he was dreaming and that m the days long gone toy, stores flourished m Wangaehu, and the owners did more business m a month than Porter would do. In a year. This upset Porter's apple cart altogether and he gave vent to such an eloquent (low of language that Mrs.. Elsie Maher, wife of the licensee," bolted out of the bar. Tho husband promptly answered the S.O.S. call and persuaded Portor to go home quietly and Ted and a few pals sought shelter m a private room. Instead of patching up the difference quietly. Ted sot the machinery OF THE LAW IN MOTION and engaged Lawyer David . Hogg. Porter slipped along to .Lawyer Louie Cohen's office.. - •. •- Magistrate Barton and tho Court loungers had the surprise of their lives, the sample of language alleged m the charge and counter charge 'sheets was the hottest and most lurid that, has ever been , hoard In Wanganui Court. It was alleged that Porter accused, Ted of sharing his affections with two women. Porter, on tho other hand, said that Ted made an inference that he had slept with a barmaid m Wanganui all night.

The Magistrate came to the conclusion that as it was near the holiday season the sum of £2. plus costs, would be sufficient for Porter to cough up and ! so knock the whole affair on the head.