"A FREE FIGHT"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16389, 11 July 1927, Page 5

"A FREE FIGHT"

FRACAS IN HOTEL EAR FOUR MEN FINED The Police Court was filled this morning to hear the sequel to a free light staged in the bar of the Masonic hotel on June 18, when, according to the police, practically all the occupants of the bar engaged in the rough and tumble. As a result of the disturbance four men came before Mr. K. C. Levvey, S.M., George Nelson, [fatfield Rangiuia, and John Parrell being charged with lighting, find Te Naiti Kepa with using threatening" Behavior. Nelson and RangiUin pleaded not guilty, and Parrel! and Kepa guilty. Mr. T. A. Coleman appeared ho' Kopn. Senior-Sergeant Eit/.patrick explained that shortly after "> p.m. the bar of the Masonic was crowded with Maoris..,, For some reason a row took place, sides were taken, and a free light ensued. He submitted that such behavior in a public bar should not be tolerated. Robert Watts, a barman at the Masonic hotel, stated that the accused entered the bar and had a drink, and afterwards engaged in conversation. Later they went out, but returned, and commenced to argue, the affair ending in a fight. The police came in and stopped the fight. Nelson came round the bar, and tinother .Maori went for Nelson, who retaliated. Three Maoris got on to Rangiuia and he got the worst of it. 'Earrell can't light at rill," said witness. "He pushes." (Laughter).

The magistrate: Catch as catch can.' (Renewed laughter). .lames Waterhouse, another barman, said that all the Maoris seemed to get together at one side, and started a free tight. He corroborated the evidence of Hie previous witness. A third barman, William Pettit, gave coroborative evidence, stating that, the whole bar full was fighting. Witness went out for the police. Wm. Thomas Carr, a porter, also gave evidence, stating that the crowd "picked on to" Rangiuia, and gave him a hiding; he had "no show." Sergeant Dempsey said he was called to the bar at 5.20, and the three defendants were still- in the bar. Nelson had a bump on the top of his head, and complained that someone had hit him on the head with a bottle. Nelson was excited, hut sober; Earrell had blood on his nose, and an abrasion on his check; Rangiuia had blood on his face. Kepa was under the influence of liquor, and came out of the bar rind wanted to light with Nelson and Earrell, and that was the cause of the trouble. No one seemed to know what the argument was about. Nelson and the others were leaving the bar when witness entered. , In the witness box Nelson said that Earrell ana Rangiuia and himself went into the bar, where they were joined by Kepa, who wanted to tight with Earrell. Kepa took his coat off three times, and witness put it. Oil for him three times, wanting to act ns the peacemaker. They .went out, nr.d came back again, and Kcpn. again took off his coat, and witness let, them go this time. But Earrell was half blind, and witness joined in when the other started on him. Witless was fighting two of them. The magistrate: Who won? "Well,! did in a way," replied witness, "until someone hit me on the head with a bottle." (Loud laughter, ill which the magistrate joined). Earrell stated that the whale cause oi the trouble was that he only had Is fd and "would not shout for the ether fellow."

Rangiuia told the court that three lad picked on him, and he was •mothered, having no chance , to retaliate. He saw Nelson being attacked. . Mr. Coleman said Hie evidence ior the prosecution showed that so far from being the aggressor, Kepa had 1 ecu thrown on the ground hy Earnil. He did take his coat off after. In reply to the magistrate the senior-sergeant said thai with the exception of Rangiuia the men had not previously been in trouble. The magistrate: As for you, Nelson I think vou tried to take another man's part, but Ibis sort of thing must stop; as you were not the aeercssor I shall fine you 20s and costs. Vfou seemed to have Been looking for trouble, Earrell, and not satisfied with one altercation you looked for another, -so you will be fined £2 and costs. I'm afraid you're not Hie white lamb that you suggest vou are, Rangiuia, but 1 will place vou in the same position as Nelson* and tine vou 20s and costs. As for you, Kepa, 1 am satisfied that vou we're the cause of the whole trouble. If you had left these men alone nothing would have happened, and I will therefore fine you £3 and costs. The four of you will bear the witnesses' expenses. Nelson asked for time to pay. "How much time do you want? nsked .the magistrate. "As much as you can spare, said Nelson, amidst laughter. , _ "I will give vou all 30 days in -which to pay," said the magistrate "but I will also fix an alternative ot ?,0 days if you don't pay." "Thank you, sir," said Nelson.