DISPUTE AT MINE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18873, 17 February 1933, Page 5

DISPUTE AT MINE.

MANAGER STRUCK BLOW.

» ORDINARY PIT LANGUAGE.”

INFORMATION DISMISSED. (Special to Times.) HUNTLY, Friday. A case of assault, which was listened to with great interest before a large crowd of miners in the Humly Magistrate's Court to-day, involved Alec Penman, manager ot laupin Coalmines Ltd., at Rotowaro, and Albert C. Yelland, chief engineer at the mine. Yelland was charged with behaving in a violent manner at the Rotowaro mine on February 8 by striking Penman with his flst. He pleaded guiltv under provocation. Penman stated that on Wednesday morning he entered the workshop and asked Yelland to inspect a job. Shortly afterwards an argument arose and Penman turned to walk away whereupon Yelland struck him a blow. To Mr K. S. Caldwell, for defendant, witness denied using any offensive words. Mr Caldwell: What would you do if anyone called you a -?—Walk away as I did on this occasion. Was the discussion between yourself and Yelland short?—Yes. But not sweet, I suppose?—Not exactly. . W. Clout, an employee at the mine, said he heard the argument and later saw the blow delivered by Yelland. Penman called out to witness when he had been struck the blow. Defendant stated that the argument arose through Penman complaining about an obstruction on the road over which he hfcd nearly fallen. Penman then lost his temper. Defendant told him he was mad to which Penman replied: “Who are you talking to, vou .” He admitted striking Penman in self-defence. He had worked at the mine for nine years, and had never been in trouble before. John Watson, superintendent of the Taupiri Coal Mines, said Yelland had worked at the mines -for nearly 10 years and was not a man to lose his temper. He had never had occasion to find fault with him. Witness said Penman had used “ ordinary pit language,” which depended on the manner in which It was spoken. Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., said there were some men who rightly resented being sworn at. Defendant was apparently such a man. The charge was dismissed conditional on defendant paying costs.

ANOTHER ASSAULT. TROUBLE OVER CHEQUE.^ HOTEL MANAGER’S OFFENCE. (Special to Times.) HUNTLY, Friday. A plea of guilty was entered by Walter Harrod, manager of the Huntiy Hotel, in the Huntiy Magistrate’s Court this morning before Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., to a charge of assaulting Harry Alder, miner, of Huntiy, by striking him in the race with his clenched flst. Evidence showed that the trouble arose through Alder, in company with Dr. Hudson, of Pukemiro, visiting the hotel and tendering a cheque drawn by the latter to the value of £7 10s 6d. The cheque was cashed by defendant who subsequently found that it was valueless and who approached Alder later about guaranteeing the amount. An argument, ensued and Harrod struck the complainant, breaking his upper dental plate. Harrod, who had never previously been before the court, was convicted and fined £1 10s with costs £1 Is 6:1. The Magistrate remarked that if defendant thought he had been wronged he had a remedy other than resorting to physical violence.