"A TRIVIAL THING"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17176, 5 February 1930, Page 2

"A TRIVIAL THING"

CHARGE Of ASSAULT ftWOHMAMOtt DISMISSED "I am particularly impressed fPitf. the defendant's! admission oi' the correct number ot ! drifiks be had on Christmas Eve*—-a most unusual oe» citrrtnee in this court," remarked Mr. P. 11. Harper, S.M., in the Police Cpurt this morning in dismissing two charges against Henry Lindsay Robinson. Robinmm was* charged with assaulting .TaJnefi Francis Blennan it the bar of the. British Empire Hotel tffi Christmas Evd, and witii refusing to quit the premises when required to do so. Mr. g. V. Benufoy appeared for the deibudftftt, who fdeartod not guilty. Rrenoatt, a barman sit the hotel, explained that Robinson accused hhn of having taken £2 instead of £l, and demanded the other note. Witness pointed out that he was wrong, but Robinson was incensed. It was closing time, and although witness requested Robinson several times to leave, the defendant refused to do so, and when witness opened the door, Robinson struck him twice on the face. Evidence tor the prosecution was liven also by Charles Crornbie, Sergeant Mclntyre, and Constable Mci&enJiie. Robinson stated in evidence that he thought Brennan was having a joke with him when be took # the £2, and waited for hi» change, but when Brennan gave hito only 1& he asked for the ither £l. Brennan then jumped over the bar, and started to push him out, and « scuffle ensued. Witness rang the police to lay a charge against Brenmin. Witnesi uaed tio more force than was

necessary to defend himself, and had not been asked to leate. The magistrate said the whole trouble arose on* of an argument between the parties as to the amount tendered. The defendant was emphatic tlr.it the barman took £2, and the barman was equally certain that lie took only £l. He thought both honestly believed that what they said was true. Robinson was smarting under what lie thought was an injustice, and the barman was angry ut being flucnsed of taking the note. "1 think the whole tiling is trivial," Said Mr. Harper, "and the information frill be dismissed,''