THE PAINTERS' DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8556, 26 July 1889, Page 4

THE PAINTERS' DISPUTE.

Jumes Wrea was. brought before Messrs B. H. Carew, H.M., and J. Logan, J.P., at the City Police Court yesterday, charged on the information of Thomas Christie Dawson with assaulting and beating him on the 22ad inst. Mr Solomon appeared for complainant, and Mr Stanford for defendant.

Mr Solomon explained that there had been a dispute between the parties which it would be necessary to state shortly. Mr Dawson was a journeyman painter. It seemed that there was a society which regulated the rate of wages. Mr Dawson was employed by Mr Wren to do certain work, but was discharged In two or three days. If he had received a fair rate of wages he would have got 22s 6d, but Mr Wren paid him at the rate of 5s a day, and a dispute arose as to whether he bad been paid in full. Mr Dawson laid the matter before the Painters' Association. He went to see Mr Wren, and wbb asked inside Mr Fish's shop, and it was alleged was then knocked down and kicked out into the street by defendant. Mr Logan here drew Mr Solomon a attention to the fact that 'there were two of them on the benoh and that he was only addressing one. Mr Solomon: I beg your Worship's pardon. It wa> a mere accident on my part. ' Mr Solomon continued that Mr Wren had assaulted complainant in nn unprovoked manner, and if it was proved that he had wantonly committed the assault ha (Mr Solomon) thought be should be severely punished. Thomas Christie Dawson, sworn, said he went to Mr Wren for employment, and was given work for two and a half days, for which he received 12s 6d. After he left there wsb some discussion a 6 a meeting of painters whether he should get more or not. He went to Mr Fish's shop to get the balance of his money. Mr Wren was at the door, and witness said, " Good morning," and Mr Wren replied, " Goort morning, Dawson." Witneßsthen said, " How about this money ?" an JMr Wron asked him to come inside. Mr Bobertßon, who had accompanied witness, remained outside. Wren said, •• Did you not come to me aud tell me your wife was ill, and you would be glad of a job ? " ond witness replied, " Yes, but I did not say I would work for nothing." Wrenthen said, " Did you not say you would work for 30s a week ?" Witness had one hand in his pocket and was putting his handkerchief away with the other, when defendant knocked him down. Witness got on his feet, and was then kicked out of the shop. Witness made no attempt to strike Wren, and be was a little frightened. He complained to Robertson whan ha go!, outside, and showed him the mark of the blow. To Mr Stanford: Witness had been a painter for six years, but hewas boots at the Gridiron for a few months. He took Robertson with him as a witness iv case there was any dispute. Witness made no objection to the 12s 6d when it was given to him. Wren was the first to speak inside the shop. Witness never said. "Have you baen saying that you discharged me because I was no good ?" Wren did not tell him to get out of the shop before the time he struck him. He did not say to Mr Wren that he would go out of the shop when he pleased. To Mr Solomon: Witness told the Faintere' Association about it, and the result was it was published. He was in the shop about two minutes. * Thomas liouertson said he was present at the meeting of the Painters' AsEodation when Dawson's matter was gone into. He went with Dawßon to see Wren The witness' evidence was mainly corroborate, and he continued that he saw complainant come tumbling out of the shop without his hat. Wron eald if he ever uame into the shop again he would kick him out. Wren had hla hand raised. Dawion was frightened, and had a mark under his ear about the size of a shilling. To Mr Stanford: Witness admitted that he had been In trouble before for assaulting the police, but that was long ago. When he wanted Dawson to go past the shop again, it was not with the object of seeing some inoro " fun." Mr Stanford submitted that Mr Solomon's opening remarks dealt almost entirely with the trade dispute. He thought that tho object of this case was to bring that trade dispute into prominence, and he did not consider that it was the proper course to pursue, Mr Dawson hod said iv a very truculent and rough way to Mr Wron when he went into the shop, "Jfou have been going about saying you have discharged

me because I was no good," and then took his hafj off and struok Wren in the face with it. Wren then, told him to leave-the shop wi!. aS c.'h W henr?1'' nager for Mr Fish, said that he' was at the abop door when the two men approached, and Dawson said • ■ Good morning." Witness, think- &*♦ * T^ toßPeak- ana imagining from bis style that he had come up for a disturbance. Invited him to Come inside. Wlien inßide he Baid.-H&ve you said that you have discharged me because I am not worth 2s a day ? Ho made an abusive remark, and witness Bald, ." You Bcoundrel, I will give you in charge. Complainant then took hia hat off and struck witness across the face with It.' Witnessoaught hold of him, and run him out of the ahqp. There was never.anytblßjj passed about money. To Mr Solomon: Witness paid him 63 a day, although the rate of wages was 9s. Complainant did not ask witness for more than the money he received, although witness knew he had complained to the Painters' Society. Witness was never asked for more moaey by Dawson when he came to the shop, and be never knocked him down. Witness" did not •wear at Dawson; as was alleged,but be caught hold of_ him and ran him out. Witness was very angry when he did this.

i Their Worships retired for a few moments, and on returning aaid they found the weight of evidence wae against the defendant, and that he would be fined 20s and coita (24s 6d); in default, three days In gaol.