A “DONNYBROOK”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 7

A “DONNYBROOK”

Sunday Night Fracas at Waltham. SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT. An argument between three men and one woman, which began in a house and was continued in the street, disturbing the &acbath calm of the Waltham district late last evening, was described by police officers in the -Magistrate’s Court this morning as a regular JDonnybrook, and a fracas combined. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., was even more emphatic in his description when the principals in the argument appeared before him. “ On a Sunday this was a most disgraceful scene,” he said in lining the accused. Henry Barnett Scott, a labourer, aged forty-two, of Waltham Road (Mr Archer) pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a disorderly manner while drunk in Waltham Road, and was convicted and fined 20s and costs in default seven days’ imprisonment. A similar charge against Hugh Keenan, a farmer, aged sixty-three, of Ashburton, who was also represented by Mr Archer, was amended to one of drunkenness. He then pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s and costs, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Andrew Scott, alias Sidney Andrew Scott, a slaughterman, aged thirtyseven, of Cashel Street, also pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a disorderly manner while drunk, and was fined £2 and costs for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, fie was fined 20s and costs. His wife. Ruby Kathleen Scott, a domestic, aged thirty-seven, of Cashel Street, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of using obscene language, was fined £1 and costs, in default seven days’ imprisonment. She pleaded guilty to behaving in a disorderly manner while drunk, and was fined £1 and costs in default seven days’ imprisonment. Sub-Inspector Edwards said the charges were the result of a fracas in Waltham Road at 11.30 o’clock last night. Andrew Scott and his wife had been visiting his brother, and there had been a party at which a fair amount of liquor had been consumed. One of the visitors, Keenan, missed his watch, and that was the beginning of a dispute which started in the house and ended in the road. Everyone was shouting and disputing when the two sergeants arrived. Leslie Henderson M’Lachlan, a postal employee, .said that on Sunday evening he was collecting letters from a box on the corner of Waltham and Shakespeare Roads. As he came up Waltham Road, his headlights picked up two men under a shop verandah on the corner. The shorter of the two appeared to have the other up against the window with his hands round his throat. Immediately the lights picked them up they drew apart. Then a woman appeared with a child in her arms and climbed into witness’s van, asking him to drive her to the police station. “ I was fairly well surrounded by people then,” said witness. “ One of the men told me flatly that the woman was not to leave, and took my number, saying I would lose my position. The Police Summoned. 44 I found myself getting into a bit of a stew, and I thought it was time for some- action,” continued witness. “ I went and rang the Central Police Station.” Clarence Jeffries said that he was walking along Waltham Road with his wife when he heard an argument between several people over a watch that had been stolen. There seemed to be fighting going on amongst the children and their parents. Witness heard bad language ured by the woman. Sergeant L. T. Moore said that it was a most disgraceful scene on a Sunday night. The woman was holding a baby on one arm, and slapping a man with her free hand. All were under the influence of liquor. 44 A corroboree,” said witness in describing the scene. One man’s face was covered with blood, while there was blood on the shirt of the other. It was quite evident that they had been fighting. 44 A regular Donnybrook,” said Sergeant T. Wolfendale in giving his evidence. The Magistrate: How you people got liquor on a Sunday beats me. A most disgraceful scene took place, and 3*ou will have to be punished severely.