TIN-CANNING PARTY

Southland Times, Issue 21271, 18 December 1930, Page 8

TIN-CANNING PARTY

ALLEGED DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. THIRTEEN MEN BEFORE COURT. The sequel to a tin-canning party was heard in the City Police Court yesterday morning when 13 men appeared charged with being unlawfully on premises and two of their number were additionally charged with leaving an indecent document on premises. The bridgeroom was Patrick Francis Forde, a young farmer of Rakahouka, and the accused were: John Edward AVelsh, James Pope, Alexander Thomas McKay, Peter Patrick McKay, John Francis Caulfield, 'William Edward Ogilvie, Terence Hogan, Alexander McLaren Butler, Alexander James Stuart, James Batt, Andrew Pope, James Daniel Crengle and John Joseph Crengle. James Pope and John Edward Welsh also faced a charge of leaving an indecent document on the premises. All the accused pleaded not guilty and Pope and Welsh pleaded guilty to the major charge. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., presided, SeniorSergeant Fox prosecuted and Mr Gordon Reed represented the accused. Senior-Sergeant Fox said that Mr Forde, a young farmer, had been married and some of the residents had decided to give him a tin-canning. When it was in progress Forde heard the voices of several men whom he did not desire to have on the premises. They remained there, however, and performed several blackguardly acts, including the upsetting of the convenience and the leaving of an indecent document. Forde had been considerably distressed, particularly as his wife had first found the document.

Patrick Francis Forde related the circumstances of the occurrence and the damage done. Cross-examined by Mr Reed he said that he recognized all the accused by their voices.

Evidence was given by several of the accused, who related what had happened on the night in question.

Mr Reed said that if there was any damage the parties were prepared to reimburse Forde. He had made inquiries and the men were held in the highest esteem in the district. In regard to Ihe charge of leaving an indecent, document he could say there was no intention that Forde’s wife should find the note. That was unfortunate. His Worship said that so far as the minor charges against the riefendants were concerned counsel had asked for leniency, but he thought that the elder men should have had more control. However, he was prepared to consider that there had been no intent.

The informations on the minor charge were dismissed on the nayment of costs and Pope and Welsh, for leaving the indecent document, were each fined £6.