OHAWE FEUD ALLEGED

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 5

OHAWE FEUD ALLEGED

CHARGE IN HAWERA COURT WILLIAM HAYWARD FINED. INDECENT LANGUAGE CASE. “The law must be vindicated, and though it was a comparatively trivial offence, such practices must be discouraged,” said Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., when fining William Hayward, Ohawe, a shingle contractor, £1 for indecent language in Kawei Road, Ohawe, on December 8. The case was described as another in a series of feuds between Hayward and A. E. Crowley, another contractor, by whom the information was laid. Sergeant J. Henry prosecuted and Mr. A. K. 'North represented Hayward. The offence took place on December 8, when Hayward was alleged to have said to Crowley, “Get out of that car, you big .” It was alleged by Crowley in evidence that Hayward was quarrelsome and had once wanted to I fight a man for playing the bagpipes. Alfred Edward Crowley, shingle contractor, Ohawe, said that at 7.30 p.m. on December 8 he was standing in the back yard and had seen Hayward dogging a cow for 15 minutes. Finally the beast had jumped into Crowley’s section, breaking five wires. Crowley had got in his car and driven round to the owner of the cow, one Sharrock. Sharrock was not home and Crowley came back. On the way he met Hayward and pointed out that it was not Crowley’s cow and that it was not a fair thing to make it break the fence. Hayward had abused him, offering to fight, and later, outside Crowley’s home, Hayward had again used language in the presence of two women. “This is not the first time, sergeant,” said Crowley. “Hayward is always abusing people, and he wanted to fight a man the other day for playing the bagpipes.”. Cross-examined by Mr. North, Crowley denied that he swore and that he had ever bullied Mrs. Ward, the storekeeper. No one had called him a bully at Ohawe. Crowley several times during examination argued with Mr. North, and Mr. Woodward told Crowley he would not have the court made a laughing stock. “Hayward has been branded a liar,” declared Crowley, who denied that he had at the time called Hayward a “greyhaired anything.” He denied that Hayward had most of the shingle contracting now and said he had repeatedly made friendly overtures which he had been refused. He had not informed until urged to do so by neighbours. Phyllis Chevington, Crowley’s housekeeper, said she knew Hayward, though not personally. She was standing with two neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Wills, when she noticed Hayward chasing the cow round the paddock. It was not until the cow jumped the fence that Crowley had gone for - Sharrock. She had heard Crowley say to Hayward: “That’s not my cow, Bill. What are you doing?” Hayward had abused Crowley in a loud tone, loud enough for anyone to hear him. She had not seen any others. Cross-examined by Mr. North, witness said she had been housekeeper for Crowley for 12 years. She had gone over to Wills’ place to make certain that it was not Crowley’s cow. She denied that she and Mrs. Wills were in. hiding and that Crowley had been shouting for her. Hayward had been on horseback but had not been carrying anything. Mrs. Dorothy Emily Wills, Ohawe,,said that she had been standing out at the gate during the argument, less than a chain away. Crowley had given Hayward no provocation. To Mr. North: She did not spend all her time with Miss Chevington. Hayward was carrying a tin of milk. “The whole position is most unsatisfactory,” said Mr. North, in opening the defence. “Hayward is by no means an angel, but Crowley is just a common informer.” When Hayward’s son died a year ago the Hawera county clerk acted as trustee in pulling his affairs together. Crowley had demonstrated by glibness' of speaking and cheekiness in the box that even in the sanctity of the court he had respect for neither it nor for counsel. ' Mrs. Lucy Ward, -Ohawe storekeeper, called by Mr. North to give evidence of Crowley’s character, was not allowed, Sergeant Henry objecting that he. could call evidence of Hayward’s character. He was upheld by the magistrate. No witnesses’ expenses were allowed.