THE OPUNAKE FRACAS. HOWES AND YOUNG BEFORE THE COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13484, 26 July 1907, Page 3

THE OPUNAKE FRACAS. HOWES AND YOUNG BEFORE THE COURT.

It ,will be remembered that a short time ago, as the outcome of a referee's report, the Taranaki Rugby Union herd an inquiry into the conduct of a number of players in the Opunake- Waimace match played at Opunake. The Unoa dealt severely with <H. Young (Opunake), disqualifying him for life, and handing the evidence taken regarding his ease to the police. E. Howes (Waimate) was disqualified till the end 1908. The police, having been handed the evidence, took proceedings, and. at Opunake on Thursday the cases were heard before Mr Fitzherbert, S.M.

Edward Howes was charged with committing an assault, and Husto.t Young with assaulting Howes and Tamil (Waimate).

Mr Bennett (Manaia) appeared f r Young, and Mr Spence (Stratford) f «ir Howes. Constable ' Hickman (Opunftke) conducted the prosecution.

Young admitted striking Tamu and then striking Hawes, but pleaded ?n extenuation that at the time he did so he was dazed 'as the result of blows Howes had dealt him. 'It was stated that Young apologised to. Tamu immediately aftefc striking him, as he was told that Tamu was not his agressor.

Howes' defence was a' denial of '-he charge of striking Young. Eviden ;e was given by Messrs Duffill, Simons and Harrison (spectators) that Howes struck Young. Guy, D. O'Sulivan, and J. Porsyth (Opunako players), and Tamu and Bourke (Waimate) gave evidence in the same direction.

His Worship, in giving ju'igment. directed some caustic remarks towards Howes. Ho said he could not place riliance on Howes** evidence, which wjs a denial of a chargo that several •'- spectable witnesses swore he was guilty of. He fined Howes £5 and costs (£3 17s), in default one^weeje's imprisonment. He would dismiss the caso against Young for striking Tamu, as \>-d believed that Young was dazed when he struck the blow. As regarding Young assaulting Howes, he held that the :< > sault was not justified.' Young, however, had received, great provocation, so he would *be convicted and discharged.