FRACAS IN SQUARE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20329, 12 June 1934, Page 7

FRACAS IN SQUARE.

Telephone Box Damaged in Scuffle. TWO MEN CONVICTED. Following a fracas in Cathedral Square on the evening of April 27, William Ross, a relief worker, of Antigua Street, and Leslie Foster Wilson, of Antigua Street, were jointly charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day wbh damaging a telephone cabinet window valued at 4s. the property of the Post-master-General. They were also charged with fighting in the Square. A charge of using obscene language was also preferred against Ross. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., heard the case. Mr M’Menamin appeared for Wilson. The accused pleaded guilty to the charges of fighting and damaging the window. Ross pleaded not guilty to the charge of using obscene language.

A witness said that the men were arguing the point and one called the other a “ dirty old cadger.” They had a fight and the window had been broken.

In the witness box, Ross denied using the language complained of. He had met Wilson and Wilson had called him names. A scuffle had taken place and the window had been broken.

The Magistrate said he was satisfied that Ross had used bad language. Unfortunately, the expression was often used from time to time and some of the men at the front had used it. Ross and Wilson -were both convicted and ordered to pay 2s. in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, for damaging the window, and for fighting they were fined 20s and costs, in default seven days’ imprisonment. For using obscene language Ross was convicted and discharged.