ROWDY FRENCHMEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14065, 24 November 1909, Page 5

ROWDY FRENCHMEN.

QUARREL IN HOTEL. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 23. Seven French man-o'-wars-men, from Noumea, awaiting a steamer to proceed to Sydneyj made a disturbance in a hotel last night. Having been refused beer on the ground that they had had enough, one man rushed behind the bar. He was stopped by the barmaid, and smacked her face. Assistance arriving, a rough and tumble followed,- and the Frenchmen were bundled out. Some of them sustained rather severe injuries. The' police, arrested five and conveyed them to the Police Station, where their injuries were attended to by a doctor. Two of the ringleaders were charged with assault and creating a breach < f the peace. All were subsequently biiiled out by the French Consul and placed on board the Maheno bound for Sydney. When the cases were called at Court this morning their bail «as declared forfeited. Mr' Kettle, S.M., commented Strongly upon the French men-o'-wars-mcii having been allowed bail and permitted to leave by the Maheno. He said: "I don't care who they are or what country they belong to: they cannot bo dealt with any ctflFerently from our own people. If men are to commit gross assaults on women, and then be permitted to go away, I want to know by what authority the police allowed them to leave the country." Mr Kettle subsequently expressed himself as satisfied with the explanation given, that the offence did not as at first appear to he Berious\ He ordered the hail to he estreated.