TANGARAKAU DISTURBANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1929, Page 10

TANGARAKAU DISTURBANCE

WOMEN FALL OUT AT DANCE

INSINUATIONS OF IMMORALITY.

The sequel to an argument between two women during the course of a dance at Tangarakau on November 9, 1928, when insinuating statements were made concerning the alleged immorality of three girls, occurred at the Stratford Court yesterday before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., when Alice ‘York, a mairied woman of Tahora, was charged with assaulting Alice Ducey, of Tangarakau. Defendant was convicted and fined I.os with costs amounting to £3 Ils 4d. Evidence was given to the effect that Alice Ducey had made a statement, to one of defendant’s daughters concerning the conduct of two other daughters As a result of these remarks, it was alleged, Mrs. York had assaulted Alice Ducey when the latter refused to retract her remarks. Mr. A. Coleman, counsel for defendant, entered a plea of not guilty, but later changed it to one of guilty. Alice Ducey said that at Tangarakau on November 9 she attended a dance. About midnight she was in the ladies’ dressing room when Mrs. York rushed in and struck her savagely across the face, remarking: “That is for saying that my daughter was in a bedroom with M. . Every time I meet you I’ll give you the same. I’ll murder you yet.” In consequence of these threats witness had kept out of Mrs. York’s wav.

Mr. Coleman: You say this happened on November 9. Has Airs. York attacked you since then ?—No. I haven’t given her a chance.

What happened in the dance hall when you were talking tq. Miss York? —I was talking to Aliss York, and her sister, who was sitting’ next to her, said: “Fancy talking to that thing! I wouldn’t be seen in the same street with her.” Witness added that she had then said to one of the girls: “Your sister should talk about me, when she had to put a blanket ovci Air. ’s head while I got dressed to get the breakfast.”

Air. Coleman: Is it not a fact that Airs. York taxed you with making scandalous statements about her daughters ? —No. Now’ what was this trouble about one of your daughters and the man being in the same bedroom? —Well, Airs. ’s house was full, and I was put out in a tent. Then rumours started to get about concerning the way one of the Miss Yorks was carrying on with mon, and I was put into her room. But why all this talk about her putting a blanket over Air. —-—'s head? — Well, we were all sleeping in the same bunk. She and Air. were sleeping at one end of the bed, and I was at the bottom, and

I see. A community affair? —Yes. And in the morning she put a sack over Air. ’s head while I dressed.

And did you spread the news about what happened that night? —No. I didn’t get the show. Thomas Patrick Ducey said he saw liis sister after the dance. She had two black eyes and bruises about the*face. He gave details of the rumours that had been rife in Tangarakau at the time concerning the conduct of one of the Alisses York.

Defendant, a married woman living at Tahora, said that on the night of November she and her daughters /ere attending a dance at Tangarak. u. She was in the supper room when one daughter came in and said that Alice Ducey had said sonic “awful things” about her sister. Witness then accosted Alice Ducey in the ladies’ waiting room and asked her to repeat the words. Alice Ducey had refused to do so. Witness then smacked her face three times with her open hand. Air. Coleman: To put the thing concisely, Alice Ducey accused your.three girls of immorality? —Yes. And they arc absolutely innocent.

Sergeant Power: Are you not’a truculent character at loggerheads with everybody in the village?—No. I have arguments only with a few with whom I can’t get on. At this stage Mr. Coleman withdrew the plea of not guilty' and pleaded guilty. He submitted that defendant had ample justification for the assault. Alice Ducey had not only refused to withdraw the statement about one of Mrs. York's daughters, but she had also made statements about the other two daughters. In addition, Alice Ducey had said she also slept with the man who was with one of the girls. She had also taken great pains to spread the news. He submitted that defendant had had ample provocation for her actions. “Well, it seems to me that a parent would be put out by. those statements, but I don’t, think there was justification for assault,” observed the magistrate.

GENERAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS.

Judgment by default was given at the Stratford Magistrate's Court yesterday for the Taranaki Trade Association, Ltd. in its claim against L. Barnes for £35 19s Id (costs £4 3s 6d).

Dr. B, F. Hussey, father of Mrs. E. H. Young, Stratford, has died of peritonitis at Toogay, West Australia, according to a cable received yesterday.

With entries from all parts of Taranaki, including those of the Flannagan Cup winner and runner-up, K. Sta.mtcti and C. Plumtree, the swimming carnival to be held at the Stratford baths tomorrow night by the Old Pupils' Swimming Club should be an unqualified success. Over a dozen events are contained in the programme, and a special feature will be the water polo contests.

For the purpose of enrolling new pupils, the principal of the Stratford Technical High School (Mr. A H. R. Amess) will be at the hostel to-day and to-morrow to meet parents of intending boarders, and on Friday and Saturday to meet parents of intending day pupils. Pupils who were at the school last year and wish to board this year should send their names immediately as it is anticipated that all tha accommodation will soon be taken. Parents are asked to bring record charts and proficiency certificates. |