OUTRAGED DIGNITY

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 20

OUTRAGED DIGNITY

A COSTLY DUCKING. Finding that broad hints and posted presents of scented soap failed to have any effect on the object of their attentions, a number of boarders at the Y.M.C.A. seized a fellow boarder and carried him upwards from the cheerful warmth of the smoking room to the cold precincts of a second-floor bathroom, where they stripped him of his clothing and threw him into a bath of cold water. So far it was all right, but the laugh was on the other side when the man in blue made an afternoon call at the Y.M.C.A. and distributed a bundle of blue papers. The sequel was heard on the 14th, when the boarders concerned found themselves facing Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., charged with unlawfully assaulting Chas. Cecil Harris. Mr Ward appeared for complainant and Mr Neii for defendants —Geo. Macan, Edwd. Blackmur, Chas. Lawless, W. S. Tait, Bert Dawson, and Thos. Pike. Complainant and a friend gave evidence. Mr Neil said that on one occasion complainant’s room was in such a disgusting condition, and the smell so offensive, that the matron left the room feeling sick. The boarders had made frequent complaints to the matron, and at last they undertook to give complainant a bath themselves. First, however, they gave him the option of having one himself. Pike and Blackmur took no part in the ducking. Louisa Chapman, matron of the Y.M.C.A., gave evidence that she had been obliged to report complaiiitant, because of the state of his room, which the maids objected to go into. Vernon T. Drew, secretary of the association, said ho had received many complaints about the disgusting way in which Harris ate, and the stato of his room. On one occasion Harris canio home under the influence of liquor and was sick. Thos. Pike denied that he had any part in the ducking, but cheerfully admitted thut lie ducking, but cheerfully admitted that he “threw sarcasm about” and “put the breeze up” complainant. He also owned up to the terrible threat that Maoris ate their victims.

“Now, look here, Bill,” he said, “don’t you take it too seriously. And remember that Maoris eat their victims.” —(Renewed laughter.) It transpired also that witness obligingly relieved Harris of his watch, as he went to the bath and kept it safe for him. “When lam ducked,” he exclaimed amidst laughter, “I always look after my watch.” Blackmu? denied that he had any part in the ducking, and this was corroborated by other defendants. The Magistrate said he must hold all the defendants guilty, with the exception of Blaokmur, who swore he took no part and was supported in that by the evidence of others. Pike was c-learly guilty. He was identified with the whole thing. Though no personal injury had been done, it was a very serious matter from the point of view of the indignity put upon an individual. Certainly there was evidence to show’ that the young man’s habits were very objectionable to the rest of the boarders, but that did not justify the steps they took to rectify the position. The assault was a serious one, in view of the indignity put upon complainant, and he could not regard it lightly, but he would take into consideration the personal position of defendants, who were probably not in a position to meet a heavy fine. "Finch defendant, with the exception of Blaokmur, the case against whom was dismissed, was fined £2. and they were ordered to pay solicitor’s fee (£3 3s) between them.