“CHILDHOOD” BALL

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 5

“CHILDHOOD” BALL

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT man punched on nose. RELIEF WORKER FINED. Auckland, Sept. 22. A merchant, resident in Remuera, and a relief worker were the principals in an assault case, a sequel to the “Back to Childhood” ball, held in the Town Hall on August 8 last, hear? in the Police Court this morning before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. Francis Charles Crew, a young man of slight build, appeared on summons, charged with assaulting Charles Lewis Low by striking him on the face with his clenched fist. He denied the charge. Charles Lewis Low, of Remuera, marchant, said he was present with his wife at the ball. About 9.50 pan. he was standing watching the dancing. Not far away from him. there was a paper screen. This screen was pushed over, and defendant fell on top f it. Witness picked up a piece of paper, upon which his wife sat Crew tried to- grab the paper from under her. “I asked him not to do that,” said witness. “Without any warning or any discussion he lasned out and struck me on the race with his fist knocking me about three yards away down the hall. It was a most brutal assault.” “LOOK AT ME!” “Look at me,” said Low, pointing to his nose, which he showed to the magistrate. “I’m disfigured for life now. I had to be attended by a doctor. Does your Worship wish to see his certificate?” “No, I do not,” said the magistrate. Crew: You caused the whole trouble yourself when you took the piece of paper off the pained screen or door. I had specially prepared the screen for the occasion, and was about to have it photographed.—l caused no trouble. Mrs. Low also gave evidence. She said the screen was knocked over and she sat upon it. As Crew pulled it away, he tore it. He then rushed at her husband and struck him. Her husband gave defendant no provocation. Crew: Mrs. Low, I asked you to give me the paper, as it was part of my personal property. Instead of handing it to me, you sat down upon it and would not return it to me.—No. I did not. I did not know it was your property. Constable Gillespie said he was on duty outside the Town HalL He was called into the hall about 9.50 p.m., and was met at the top of the steps by Low, who complained that Crew had assaulted him. Low was bleeding freely from the nose and his upper lip was marked. Crew admitted quite frankly that he had struck the blow. “On the way to the police station Crew said the only thing he was sorry for was that he did not hit Low hard enough,” said the constable. “DOOR OF SHOE FELL OFF.” In defence, Crew told the magistrate that, with other couples, he went to the ball. His party represented “The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe,” and a specially-made shoe was taken to the halt The door of the shoe, which was made of paper, fell off. “I was waiting to have the shoe photographed when the piece of paper door fell off,” added Crew. “Low refused to give it to me, stating that he wanted it for the lady to sit on. There were plenty of seats she could have sat on. Low got angry and went to hit me— Mr. McKean: You now ask me to believe that he was the aggressor, after - what you said to the policeman on the ; way to the police station! You ought j to learn to control your temper. You: will be fined £3 and costs.

Crew asked for time to pay, stating that he was on relief work and did not earn much.

The magistrate allowed 28 days in which to pay.