A HOTEL AFFRAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17036, 9 May 1923, Page 1

A HOTEL AFFRAY.

MAN LOSES AN EYE. GROSVENOR MANAGER CHARGED. John Stapk pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court to-day on a charge of having assaulted a. man named Reynolds in such a manner as to cause actual bodily harm. The charge arose cut of an affray that occurred on March 3 in the Grosvenor Hotel, of which accused was manager. Mr Donnelly appeared for the Crown, and Mr Thomas for the accused. A second count of common assault was also preferred. Mr Donnelly, in opening the case, said that on March 3, shortly before 0 p.m., Reynolds went into the bar of th© Grosvenor Hotel. "When he was leaving at 6 p.m. he asked the accused v hat. won the last race at Little River and accused struck him. Accused declared that Reynolds had used offensive language to him. There was no suggestion that the accused had acted ; n self defence in striking Reynolds. Thomas Reynolds said lie went into the bar of the Grosvenor Hotel on March 3, shortly before six o’clock. He had a glass of beer. At six o’clock he turned to go out. When going otit of the* door he aked accused what won the last race He asked if Royal Mac won. Accused replied: “ That’s Royal Mac!” and struck Kim. Accused had a ring

on his finger. Witness went into the street. He denied that he had used any offensive language to the accused. To Mr Thomas: In the last twelve months he might have been to the Grosvenor 'Hotel a dozen times. Mr Thomas: 1 put it to you, a dozen times in the preceding twelve days?— No. Have you ever been refused liquor? —Never. J put it to you that earlier in the daj you had been ordered out of the hotel because of the row you were making?—No. The only time 1 was in the bar was just before six o’clock. Is it a habit of yours to recite in hotel bars? —No, not that 1 am aware of. That is exactly what I expected—not that you are aware of ! Is it a habit of yours when you get a few drinks

in to become hail fellow well met, and to recite?—No. I take it that when you go into a hotel you are a decent, quiet, respectable citizens?—Yes, at any rate. I have never been in trouble before! You may have been lucky! I put it to you that you were refused liquor when you went into the hotel ? T No. I only asked for one glass and 1 got it. You were sober?—Yes. As sober as a judge To His Honor: 1 Leg your Honor’s pardon. The witness made no answer in the ripple of laughter that followed M. Thomas’s slip. Dr Comrie, a house surgeon at Christchurch Hospital, said that w'hen Reynolds reached the hospital lie found that the left eye had been ruptured. Reynolds smelt slightly of liquor. On April 3 the injured eye was removed Archibald C. Shanks, a joiner, who was in the bar of the Grosvenor Hotei when the trouble occurred, said that when Reynolds was leaving the bar Stack hit him. He had not heard anything said. To Mr Thomas: He was unable to say whether the blow was struck with the open hand or clenched fist. Stack ' VaS h‘ a an W * lQ kept very good order John Hamer, a joiner, said he was in the Grosvenor Hotel with the previous witness and another man. They left just before 6 o’clock and were standing on the pavement. Witness heard Stack say to Reynolds. “ 1 will give you that for calling me a .” Stack struck Reynolds three times, he thought. Stack appeared to be ver; angry. Thomas Carter corroborated the evidence of the two previous witnesses

He heard Stack say: “Take that!” Detective-Sergeant Connollv put in r. statement made by the accused before he was arrested. Accused stated in this that he had given Reynolds a push as a. result of offensive language used by him. In his address to the Jury Mr Thomas submitted that the story told by Reynolds was unworthy of credence It was unbelievable that a man like Stack, who had always been a good citizen, should suddenly attack Reynolds without any provocation. The jurp returned at 11.50 a.m. with a verdict of guilty on the first count, but the jury made a strong recommendation to leniency. His Honor deferred sentence till tomorrow'. The accused was granted 1 bail in his own recognisance of £SO.