RABBITERS' FEUD

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3419, 13 February 1936, Page 5

RABBITERS' FEUD

SEQUEL IN COURT

FIGHTING WHILE DRUNK A disagreement between employees of two Cambridge rabbit trapping firms was brought to a head in the Cambridge Court on Tuesday when Robert Samuel Armstrong and Hugh Fraser, two work-mates were charged with being drunk and disorderly in Anzac Street on Monday. Armstrong was sentenced to two months imprisonment in Mount Eden gaol, while Fraser was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon and ordered to take out a prohibition order. They had both pleaded not guilty before Messrs H. A. Bell and Edgar James, J.P.’s. Outlining the case, Constable C. 11. Maisey stated that about 4.30 p.m. on Monday he received a telephone communication to say that Armstrong and Fraser, employees of f. Moss, a rabbit-skin dealer, were on the premises of Matos and Co. looking for a fight. With Constable Bowie he visited Anzac Street and saw the accused with their arms around each other, rolling round on the road. They appeared to be drunk.

The two men disappeared into Alpha Street when they caught sight of the police and eluded pursuit. At about 7.30 p.m. Constable Maisey saw Armstrong riding on the run-ning-board of a car. He followed him to Moss’s depot, but again both men made off. When caught they explained that they had endeavoured to avoid the police so that they could work next day.

The Constable stated that a feud existed between the rabbiters, and during the morning a fight had occurred between Armstrong and a man working for Matos. After the fight the two accused had been induced to leave, but later in the day they returned again. Armstrong had a rabbit trap which he used in a threatening manner, and the proprietor had deemed it advisable to call the police. Fight at Depot The first witness was Ivan A. Vitasovich, who said he was a friend of Matos and in charge of the depot at the time. Moss and the accused had come to the depot at 11 a.m., and after an argument Armstrong hit one of Matos’ employees named Snell. Moss joined in the fight but witness stopped him. The men went away and returned twenty minutes later. There was no fighting on this occasion.

Later in the afternoon Armstrong and Fraser returned to the depot drunk and looking for another light. Vitasovich said he ordered them out, and when Armstrong displayed a rabbit trap in an aggressive manner he rang for the police. Charles F. Snell, a rabbiter employed by Matos, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. He stated that Moss and the accused had asked him what dirty trick witness had put across them. To Constable Maisey, Snell said the trouble arose when he had obtained permission to trap on land which the accused would have liked. What he had done had been quite lawful.

Continuing Snell stated that Armstrong had called him a liar and other names and asked him to fight. When witness refused, Armstrong still persisted and then hit him. Witness retaliated finally and gave Armstrong a good hiding. Armstrong and Fraser returned at about 4.30 p.m. and witness was positive that they were drunk and looking for further trouble. Evidence of Police Constable R. Bowie stated that he was called to Matos’ depot and saw the two men walking along Anzac Street in a rolling manner and with their arms around each other. They disappeared when they saw the police, but were caught later. Witness had previously warned Fraser that he was drinking too much.

Constable C. H. Maiscy gave similar evidence and stated that two warrants for commitments for failure to pay fines were out against Armstrong and he arrested him. The most serious view of the affair, he contended, was the unlawful action of Moss and his men in endeavouring to intimidate the rabbiters Irom Mato.f depot. Armstrong was locked up, but when his fines were paid by friends he was released. Defendants in Box

In the witness-box, Armstrong admitted that he had been the aggressor, but he was extremely annoyed with Snell. He affirmed to stable Maisey’s questions that he had previously been convicted at Jo Awamutu for fighting, that he had been fined in the Cambridge Court for being drunk in charge of a car, that he was only 21, and had several times been warned for going into hotels when under age, and that he had been engaged in a disturbance

on New Year’s Eve. Armstrong did not know how many drinks he had had, but said he was not drunk. Constable Maisey: You were doing your best to avoid the. police. Armstrong: Not particularly, but I was not looking for you.

Hugh Fraser said he did not think Snell had played the game in taking some of their country. There had also been animosity with Vitasovicli and matters came to a head as a result of the drink he and Armstrong had consumed. He admitted having been previously before the Court on a somewhat similar charge. The Justices took a serious view of the matter and commended the police on their action in endeavouring to quell trouble in Cambridge.

In sentencing Armstrong to two months imprisonment in Mt. Eden gaol, Mr Bell said that he had been given repeated warnings, and advised him to alter his ways in future. It was also agreed that Fraser had been given much liberty, and he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. He was also ordered to take out a prohibition order and pay costs 18/-.

APPLICATION FOR RE-HEARING COURT SITTING THIS AFTERNOON Application has been lodged for a re-hearing of the disorderly while drunk charge against Armstrong, and a special sitting oi the (jambridge Court will be heard at 2.30 p.m. this afternoon.