BACHELORS’ BRAWL

Southland Times, Issue 19256, 21 June 1921, Page 6

BACHELORS’ BRAWL

A RIVERSDALE MEETING. SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT. A meeting of young men for the purpose o-f arranging a bachelors’ ball was held at Riversdale on Saturday night, says the Ensign. As an aftermath several members became involved in a bachelors’ brawl and drinking bout, with rather disastrous results. After the official meeting to settle details an adjournment was made by the left wing to a hut, where some liquor was settled. An appetite for food developed, and about 1 o’clock on Sunday morning two of the party left the hut to see what could .be obtained in the way of eatables. The storehouse attached to the Farmers’ Co-operative building was broken into, but nothing suitable was procured. A spade was then used and the shop door forced open. About a dozen small tins of fish, two tins of biscuits and a chunk of cheese were taken and delivered to an appreciative party at the hut. On Sunday forenoon the manager of the shop found the door open and things generally in a disturbed state. He communicated with the Gore police, and Constables Sneddon and Hood were soon on their way to Riversdale. A few inquiries sufficed to put them on the track of some members of the party, and later they arrested William D. McAuliffe and Walter B. Craig. One of the accused was arrested at Riversdale and the other at Wendon. Both were brought to Gore on Sunday night. The accused were charged before Mr A. Martin, J.P., at the local court yesterday morning with breaking and entering the Southland Farmers’ Co-operative stores at Riversdale and stealing therefrom goods to the value of 30/-.

Sergeant Matheson prosecuted and Mr E. C. Smith appeared for the accused. The police asked for a remand to Tuesday, June 28, which was granted. Bail was allowed to Craig in one surety of £lOO and to McAuliffe (who is a single man) in two sureties of £lOO each.