“DUST-UP” ON SHIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1027, 18 July 1930, Page 10

“DUST-UP” ON SHIP

ASSAULT charge follows QUARREL WINE-SELLERS DISAGREE When two wine-pedlars met on board the s.s. Anton on June 23, there was a hectic "dust-up," culminating in the appearance of one o£ them at the Police Court today on a charge of assault. Robert Raeburn Miller, a winepedlar. was charged with assaulting Walter Lewis Eastbury on June 23. in addition, he faced charges of breaking his prohibition order and being on licensed premises during the currency of the order. He pleaded not guilts'. Sub-Inspector Shanahan said that it was alleged by complainant, who was a pedlar of wine, that Miller walked up to him and struck him on the mouth. He had given no provocation for the assault, which bad taken place on the s.s. Anton. "In the interests of my job, I went down to the wharf and boarded the Anton on June 23," said Walter Lewis Eastbury, in the witness box "Earlier in the day, when walking down Victoria Street, I had heard someone shouting filthy names at me in a drunken voice. I turned around and saw Milter. As I did not wish to be dragged into a quarrel I took no notice, although Miller continued to call out.” "THREE BEAUTIES” When witness boarded the s.s. Anton, he had his left hand in his pocket. He was carrying his bag in his right hand. “Just as I turned a corner. Miller ‘slipped me three beauTies' to the face,” said witness. “Ar. I did not w isb to embarrass the people on the ship. I walked off. My fare was bleeding. White I was walking down the wharf he must have followed me. for he stepped out from behind a car and struck me two glancing blows. I gave him no provocation and did not cay a word." A traffic inspector saw the occurrence and witness asked him to note ~that. Miller was the aggressor. Miller, when asked by Mr. Hunt what he had to say. produced a tetter from his firm, stating that Miller had complained of Eastbury's making insulting remarks about his wine. His firm had had to threaten Eastbury with legal action. “It’s all lies,” said Eastbury. On the charge of a breach of his j . ohibition order. Miller was fined £5 and 10s costs, or a month’s imprison ment, and on the charge of assault the same. On the third charge he was convicted and discharged.