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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 3

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AFTER THE DANCE. AN UGLY SITUATION. Facts concerning what was described as an “ugly situation” and a general melee, whi'ch occurred in Seddon Street in the early hours of Sunday, March 12, were placed before the magistrate, Mr R. M. Watson, S.M. at the. Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. William Scott pleaded not guilty to behavjiig in a disorderly manner, while Chai.’ec* Orr and Charles Connor pleaded guilty and Connor also pleaded guilty to breaking a window. Evidence was given by M. Stanish and his son, and Constable Chesnutt.

It appeared the men from the relief camp at Tohunga Road held one of their weekly dances in McNair’s Hall, which is above the fish shop occupied by Stanish. About midnight on Saturday, March 11, four relief camp men were in the fish shop kitchen. They wero under the influence of liquor, Stanish had a license to brew liquor. These men were in the way and were asked to leave. They refused and Stanish’s son asked Scott to give a hand to put them out. Scott did so. He declared to the magistrate ho did not use more force than was necessary and this was corroborated by the two Stanishes. Scott fame down from the dance in the hall to the fish shop, the entrance to the hall being through the fish shop. Scott is a farmer at Karioi and when the relief workers, to the number of about 25, saw him and the son of the keeper of the fish shop putting out their mates they turned on him. Blows were exchanged and Scott admitted he got a “pasting” from the crowd, who had been upstairs at the dance. The crowd got behind Scott and the men and the front door was opened and the fighters wero out on the footpath. Constable Chesnutt was across the road. At first he thought, two men were wrestling for fun. Next he saw one man down and ho came across the road and told Scott, to go home, but Scott said he did : ot hear the constable speak. He admitted that in the excitement and general row the constable might have had to toll him twice to go home. He could not get away at first as the relief men had him surrounded. He admitted he had used his fists but it was in self defence. He was only too pleased to get away from the crowd. There was a general onslaught of relief workers from behind. The shop window was broken and also three kitchen windows. The shop window had not yet been repaired and the relief men had not offered to pay for the damage. The constable saw Scott struck and attacked on all sides. Sergeant Joyce, who prosecuted for the police, contended that Scott should have gone away at once, especially after Constable Chesnutt told him to go. The magistrate dismissed the information against Scott without any comment.

Air Windle appeared for the other two men. They were from the relief camp and had been in the kitchen. They had been supplied by Stanish with some of his beer. They declared they were dragged out of the shop by the feet and kicked about. One man had his top plate of teeth broken. The hop beer evidently made them stupid. They regretted the breaking of the window, which Air Windle started to explain was due to “mob psychology.” but the magistrate interrupted with the remark that such a thing was not recognised in the Court. The magistrate said he believed Connor was the aggressor. The sergeant said the mob demanded that two men

be handed over to them to bo dealt with as they thought best. A very ugly situation had arisen. The two men charged wero only two of many, but the constable had not been able to identify the others. Tho police had been compelled to subpoena eleven witnesses.

Orr, the elder, had no previous conviction. Ho was fined £2 and costs, and the witnesses’ expenses were divided between the two mon, Orr’s share amounting to £2 5s sd. In reply to Air Windle’s plea for the time the magistrate said the men could borrow tho money, but he would allow Orr seven days to pav £1 and the balance would have to be paid within a month. He warned the man that any attempt at evasion would be dealt with seriously and would result in him being sent to gaol. He hoped the man would not appear before him again Connor had several convictions against him under another name. He had had a bad record but not since 1927. He regarded this man as the head and front of the trouble. No attempt had been made to make pay mont for the damage done amounting to 12s. If this was paid he would take that fact into consideration when inflicting a punishment. He would give Connor a few minutes to got the necessary sum. Connor and his friends loft Ihe Courthouse and returned a few minutes later with tho monov.

The magistrate said ho would not send Connor to gaol this time, but if he should eomo before him again for any offonep against property or person in Rnetihi or Ohakune ho would he sent to gaol. He advised him to keep out of the town. There was something wrong when tho monov

found by the people for relief pav was used in this wav for weekly danoot. I On the charge of disorderly conduct, a fine of £3 would bo imposed and £2 5s 5d costs. Seven davs would bo allowed to find £1 and balance in a month. On the charge of breaking tho window he would be fined £2 and 10s costs and ho would bo allowed tho same time as in the other case. MAGISTRATE’S COURT The monthly sitting of the Magin I trate’s Court was held on Wednesday when Air. R. AL Watson, S.M., pre sided. Alaua Philips, a native, plcado' guilty to theft of firewood at Pakihi The magistrate said the remarks oi the police sergeant saved the man - being sent to gaol. Petty thieving I was too common in the district, and» was a serious thing, but Beciug thi" I was the man’s first offence and was] married, with children, ho would inflict a line of £2 or 14 days and gave the rsaii a warning. R. G. Chaniley was ordered to gi\c up possession of the house occupied by him in Duncan Street, owned by E. 11 Snow, and judgment was given for rent due. Only £1 rent had been paiu 3'iice November 4, 1932, and 5s a week was the weekly amount. AL. Windle, who appeared for tho plaintiff, said the owner was an old man over 70. who with his aged wife, wanted to live in the small place when the man went out. Fourteen days were given to vacate the premises. F. AlcGrath was ordered to give possession of house and property to the State Advances Superintendent within three weeks. Judgment for plaintiff by default with costs, was given in the following civil cases: J. L. Lugton v. Enoch Johansen, £3 4s 6d; Home Supply Company v. A. E. Johansen, £ll l()s, IRaetihi Borough Council v. E. Simon, £ll 3>. sd; W. J. Feltham v. H. Morrow. £6 6s; C. W. Rail v. Irene Lar.