BREACH OF THE PEACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7414, 28 May 1902, Page 2

BREACH OF THE PEACE.

♦ . - TROUBLE AT THE THEATRE. Ab the Police Court, this morning, Phil Williams was chargea, before Messrs J. Hay,' E. Jones and W. Hayward, J.P. 's, with creating a breach of the peace at the office of the Theatre Royal on the evening of May 27. The accused pleaded not guilty. Albert Clark, business manager for the World's Entertainers, stated that the accused went into the ofiice afc the Theatre Royal, on the evening of May 27, and asked witness to pass him up into the dresscircle. Witness replied that the house was full, and he could not give accused a seat. The latter said that he wanted to go upstairs, and he would go, even if he had to stand. Witness told him that he could not allow* any more persons inside. Accused then asked for a free pass for the following night, but his request was refused. He became abusive, using bad language, and declined to- leave the office. Witness then said thab he would go and get a constable to remove accused. Witness began to make for the door, but accused struck at him. He warded off the firsfc blow, but the second and third caught him on the forehead and mouth. Accused then ran away, and was caught in Gloucester Street by a constable. James Grove Eial, one of the proprietors of the World's Entertainers, stated that he was in the office at the time of the trouble, and saw what occurred. The -accused nad had some liquor, bufc was quite responsible for his actions. . - ' Afc this stage, the accused asked* that he mighfc be allowed to alter Ms plea to one of guilty. He had not a very clear recollection of what occurred at the Theatre office, but he supposed, after hearing the evidence, that he had committed a breach ° f The Bench imposed a fine of £2 10s, and costs 7s, expressing the hope that it would be a warning to the accused.