ROW IN UNION OFFICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18635, 2 August 1930, Page 18

ROW IN UNION OFFICE.

SECRETARY FINED FOR ASSAULT. By lelegrarh—Press Association WELLINGTON, August 1. Edward Kennedy, secretary of the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union, was defendant in an action for assault brought in the Magistrate’s Court by Arthur Ryan, an assistant cook. Kennedy was fined £5. and costs. Ryan, a member of the Union, gave evidence that he attended a meeting on May 30, and at the end of the general business, got up and accused Kennedy of tolerating victimisation of certain members of the Union. Kennedy called complainant a liar, and complainant retaliated by calling him a liar and a coward. Kennedy then challenged complainant to fight, but the latter refused. On June 4, Ryan called on Kennedy at his office. Kennedy asked him what he wanted, Ryan replying that he wanted Kennedy to get an explanation from a representative of a shipping company as to why the representative refused to look at his (Ryan’s) discharges. Kennedy, according to Ryan, told complainant to "go to hell and find out for himself.” Ryan told him that the secretary of the Union should make such inquiries, whereupon Kennedy repeated his retort. Ryan then told Kennedy that it was time he was exposed. Kennedy asked: "How do you propose to do it?” "Through the Press,” replied Ryan, after which Kennedy swore at him, and struck him on the eye, which was blackened. Kennedy struck Ryan again, and the latter’s brother, hearing a noise, entered and saw Kennedy standing over Ryan and punching him. Corroborative evidence of the incidents at the Union meeting were given by three witnesses. Ryan’s brother deposed to having seen Kennedy punching complainant. Kennedy, referring to the interview in his office, said that Ryan had told him that he should not take any more people into the Union until he (Ryan) had got a job. Witness ordered Ryan out, and there was a scuffle. In the opinion of Mr E. Page, S.M., there was no doubt that Kennedy was far too aggressive and that an assault had been committed. An order was made directing Kennedy to pay half the fine to Ryan.