CHARGES OF ASSAULT HEARD AT GORE

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 7

CHARGES OF ASSAULT HEARD AT GORE

Fines Imposed On Three Youths “You young fellows must know as well as anybody else that the court has no hesitation in sending your sort to gaol at once. You are working up pretty close to it. I am taking into consideration your youth. You are only young boys.” This warning was given by the magistrate (Mr R. C. Abernethy) in the Gore Magistrate’s Court when he imposed fines of £5 each on three youths, John Desmond Neilson, aged 20, Raymond Douglas Johnston, aged 18, and Lawrence William Arthur Mcßandall, aged 18, on charges of assaulting Fergus Hilliard Benjamin on November 18. All the accused and the complainant are employed at the Tapanui flax mill. Senior-Sergeant J. H. S. Hogg said the three accused had returned to the mill after visiting a hotel, where they had consumed a quantity of liquor. Accompanied by others, they had gone to the hut occupied by Benjamin. An argument had developed because Benjamin had refused to have a drink with the accused. Johnston had had a private quarrel with Benjamin over the sale of a watch. Johnston punched Benjamin several times and he was later thrown into a mill pond. This occurred about 11 o’clock. One of the men had gone to pull him out, but he had received no other assistance. He had only recently been discharged from hospital. Senior-Sergeant Hogg said the youths were of the irresponsible type; McRandall was on probation. The constable at Tapanui had said that Neilson was of the dour type, although he was not really bad. Johnston was the ringleader and had been the cause of trouble at the mill.

In answer to the magistrate, Johnston denied having taken any part in throwing Benjamin into the pond and said he was opposed to the action. The others expressed regret at the occurrence. All pleaded guilty. “It is disturbing to see so many of you taking liquor,” remarked the magistrate. “I am not going to tell you that you should not. There are many people who will—and they may be right. I do think you will have to make up your mind whether you will use it or abuse it. You know you have no right to be in hotels when you are under 21. What started as a foolish prank may end up as a minor tragedy. The best thing is to touch your pocket in the meantime. Just use your common sense. I don’t like to hear you are disturbing elements in a factory.” Johnston, in reply to the magistrate, said he was earning an average of £5 a week.