CROSSING THE BAR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 16 May 1922, Page 4

CROSSING THE BAR.

FRACAS AT EMPIRE HOTEL. CONVICTION FOR ASSAULT. As a sequel to a fracas which occurred in the Empire Hotel on the 15th. of April Ist, Robert Madigan, Joseph Montgomery and G. Patterson wer e charged before Messrs G. Dash and N. L. Thomas, J’s. P., at the Magistrates’ Court this morning, with assaulting James C. Mowat, a barman, temporarily employed at the hotel. Sergt. O’Connell stated that on the day of the sport’s meeting, the three men accused were in the Empire Hotel, when an argument ensued and one jumped over the bar and got hold of the barman by the neck and almost throttled him. The two other men had also taken part in the affair, during which the barman’s hand was severely cut. The accused, Robert Madigan, pleaded guilty, stating tht at the time he was under the influence of liquor. Montgomery and Patterson denied the charge. James C. Mowat, who was acting as temporary bar attendant at the tune of the assault, said that Madigan had first jumped over the counter and assaulted him, and Montgom ery and Patterson had followed, and caught him by the arms. Two men had come to his assistance. There had been no argument previously. The treuble had started when Mqdigan asked the price of a bottle of beer. The accused disputed the price arid witness was about to draw some draught beer when Madigan jumped over the bar, and caught him by the throat. The other two had followed and caught him by the arms. It was about 2.30 p.m. at the tune of the assault, and the three men were quite sober. Witness had not used any language, and there had not beeri any argument. Kenneth Patterson (Waituna) and William Loper corroborated the evidence given by the complainant.

Constable Swann stated that on April 15, at about 3 p.m. he was called to the Empire Hotel. He was asked into the private bar and told about the assault. He called the three men accused into* the bar. Madigan had admitted the offence, and said that he did not know why he had done it, and that h e wished to apologise. A second man had said that h e jumped over the bar to prevent Madigan being strangled. The third man would not say anything at the time. Witness thought the men had been drinking, but they were not drunk. He had seen the two men, Patterson (not the accused) and Loper at the timem.

Montgomery denied taking part in the assault, and stated that at the time he was motoring out at Waihao Forks. He had only been in the hotel three minutes when the constable came in.

Madigan again pleaded that he was under the influence of liquor at the time.

All three men were convicted, a fine of £2 being imposed in the case of Madigan, and the other two being fined 10 s each, with costs amounting to £2 10s. PILES CURED IN THREE DAYS. Write for Booklet, enclosing three penny stamps. Money refunded if not satisfied with Zann Treatment. Address, Zann Proprietary, Box 952 Wellington. Booklets and stocks of Zann can be obtained from F. AkLurst, Chemist, Waimate.

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