SKYLARKING SEQUEL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 January 1932, Page 4

SKYLARKING SEQUEL

AN ASSAULT CHARGE.

JOINERY FACTORY INCIDENT,

A young apprentice carpenter named Michael Richard Wallace appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Mr J. Miller, S.M., on a charge of assaulting Robert Bell, journeyman carpenter, so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

The charge arose out of what was apparently the usual type of sky-lark-ing that goes on in factories where, as complainant put it, apprentices are looked on by journeymen as “fair game.” Defendant, who was represented by counsel, pleaded not guilty. Outlining the circumstances leading to the charge Sergt. Dyer said Wallace and the complainant were both employed in the Lincoln Road joinery factory of Messrs. C. E. Daniell, Ltd. On December 4 last Wallace was working at a bench in the factory glazing window sashes. Bell was working at another bench a few yards away when Wallace threw’some putty at Bell. The latter chased the defendant and later kicked him. Wallace became annoyed and when passing Bell’s bench threw the chisel lie (defendant) was carrying ill his hand at Bell, inflicting an injui\ in the left groin. The incident appealed to have been due to horseplay and Sergeant Dyer said he did not think defendant intended to inflict any sciious bodily injury. Defendant’s counsel asked that the charge be reduced to one of common assault but Mr. Miller said he would treat it at the outset as an indictable one.

Robert Bell, the complainant, admitted that he had kicked Wallace -and that he had barracked him. They had been the best of friends and defendant was one of the quietest lads in the factory. There was a good deal of skylarking and the apprentices were looked on as “fair game.” He didn’t blame Wallace for what he had done.

Evidence was given by Leslie F. Fear to the effect that accused threw the chisel downwards with the intention of hitting Bell on the feet. After hearing the defendant Mr Miller decided to reduce the charge to one of common assault. He, however, said that there had been no doubt a good deal of horseplay but accused had had no right to have used so much force as ho had when throwing the chisel. If the injuries had been serious he would have sent accused for trial. Accused had no right to throw about sharp chisels, no matter what the circumstances were. '

Mr Miller said he must enter a conviction, although counsel suggested that the charge be dismissed. Accused’s counsel thought that the ends of justice would be met if defendant was ordered to come up for sentence.

The Magistrate said that as a warning to others he must mark the case with some punishment and would convict accused and fine him £5 and costs.